recruitment and conditions of employment of persons belonging to these communities, to the extent that
they are not effectively protected by laws applicable to workers in general.
ICCs/IPs shall have the right to association and freedom for all trade union activities and the right to
conclude collective bargaining agreements with employers’ organizations. They shall likewise have the right
not to be subject to working conditions hazardous to their health, particularly through exposure to pesticides
and other toxic substances.
SECTION 24. Unlawful Acts Pertaining to Employment. — It shall be unlawful for any person:
a) To discriminate against any ICC/IP with respect to the terms and conditions of employment on
account of their descent. Equal remuneration shall be paid to ICC/IP and nonICC/IP for work of equal value;
and
b) To deny any ICC/IP employee any right or benefit herein provided for or to discharge them for the
purpose of preventing them from enjoying any of the rights or benefits provided under this Act.
SECTION 25. Basic Services. — The ICCs/IPs have the right to special measures for the immediate,
effective and continuing improvement of their economic and social conditions, including in the areas of
employment, vocational training and retraining, housing, sanitation, health and social security. Particular
attention shall be paid to the rights and special needs of indigenous women, elderly, youth, children and
differentlyabled persons. Accordingly, the State shall guarantee the right of ICCs/IPs to government’s basic
services which shall include, but not limited to, water and electrical facilities, education, health, and
infrastructure.
SECTION 26. Women. — ICC/IP women shall enjoy equal rights and opportunities with men, as
regards the social, economic, political and cultural spheres of life. The participation of indigenous women in
the decisionmaking process in all levels, as well as in the development of society, shall be given due respect
and recognition.
The State shall provide full access to education, maternal and child care, health and nutrition, and housing
services to indigenous women. Vocational, technical, professional and other forms of training shall be
provided to enable these women to fully participate in all aspects of social life. As far as possible, the State
shall ensure that indigenous women have access to all services in their own languages.
SECTION 27. Children and Youth. — The State shall recognize the vital role of the children and youth
of ICCs/IPs in nationbuilding and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and
social wellbeing. Towards this end, the State shall support all government programs intended for the
development and rearing of the children and youth of ICCs/IPs for civic efficiency and establish such
mechanisms as may be necessary for the protection of the rights of the indigenous children and youth.
SECTION 28. Integrated System of Education. — The State shall, through the NCIP, provide a
complete, adequate and integrated system of education, relevant to the needs of the children and young
people of ICCs/IPs.
CHAPTER VICultural Integrity
SECTION 29. Protection of Indigenous Culture, Traditions and Institutions. — The State shall respect,
recognize and protect the right of ICCs/IPs to preserve and protect their culture, traditions and institutions. It