7 that there is no distinction. There can be no talk of development if vast sections of the population live precariously. Addressing rights protection for sweatshop workers enjoys several legal resources. Some of the relevant international and national laws, agreements, and recommendations shall be briefly discussed in this section. At the international level, the relevant documents and conventions include the United Nations Conventions (including those from the ILO), as well as other international instruments. At the national level, the 1986 Philippine Constitution and Labor Code provides a general framework for structuring State action on the question of labor standards for sweatshop workers. Frameworks at the International Level As a member of the United Nations, the Philippine State is a party to many conventions and international human rights treaties and agreements. These are the bases of the countries' labor policies. The United Nations Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights provides the main global framework for protecting worker's rights. This document guarantees, among other things, the right of all to "just and favourable conditions of work" which include fair remuneration, decent living, and safe working conditions, as well as the right to free association.19 Additionally, being a member of the ILO since 1948, the Philippines expressed its commitment to the ILO declaration on fundamental principles and rights at work. It is worthy to note that, according to the ILO, the Philippines has ratified a total of 38 conventions related to labor: 8 of the 10 fundamental conventions; two of four governance conventions and; 28 out of 176 technical conventions. Of these, 31 are in force, four have been denounced, and one has been abrogated.20 Important for the discussion on sweatshop labor under COVID-19 are the conventions that guarantee freedom from forced labor (C105), fair and equal pay (C095; C100), the right to freely organize (C087; C098), as well as dignified and safe working conditions (C122; C187). 19 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights art. 7, opened for signature December 19, 1966, 993 U.N.T.S. 3. 20 International Labour Organization, NORMLEX Information System on International Labour Standards, available at https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:11200:0::NO::P11200_COUNTRY_ID:10 2970 (last accessed November 5, 2022).