Manila, June 27 (AseanAll) — ASEAN reaffirmed its collective commitment to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers through a series of back-to-back workshops held in Manila, the Philippines, from 23-27 June.
Organised under the auspices of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW), the events were hosted by the Philippines’ Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). Key support was provided by the ASEAN Secretariat, the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the TRIANGLE in ASEAN and PROTECT programmes, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) through the Migration, Business and Human Rights Programme in Asia.
Secretary Atty. Hans Leo J. Cacdac of DMW graced the workshop series and emphasised the importance of regional coherence and migrant-centred policies. “At the core of fair and ethical recruitment lies the belief in the inherent dignity and rights of every individual,” said Secretary Cacdac in his opening remarks.
Representatives of labour ministries and labour attachés of ASEAN Member States, recruitment agencies, employers’, workers’ and civil society organisations from the region were trained in the first two days on migration governance, case management, crisis response, gender-responsive approaches to migrant protection, and other aspects of labour attaché services.
During the Workshop on Regional Actions on Fair and Ethical Recruitment Practices on 25–26 June, participants identified gaps and concrete actions around recruitment fees, transparency and access to remedies, with an emphasis on operationalising the “employer-pay” principle. The Checklist for ASEAN Member State Governments, Labour Recruiters, and Employers on Fair Recruitment and Decent Employment Practices adopted by the ASEAN Labour Ministers in April 2025 was socialised for completion this year.
On 27 June, participants deliberated on developing a checklist to track progress of the voluntary-based operationalisation of the ASEAN Guidelines on Effective Return and Reintegration for Migrant Workers. The checklist seeks to benchmark national progress in the reintegration programmes of returning migrant workers. Mainstreaming reintegration in labour migration policies was acknowledged to be pivotal in light of post-pandemic recovery, climate challenges, and technological disruptions.
These workshop series were the realisation of the Action Plan of the ASEAN Consensus on Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. They contribute to the realisation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, particularly its goals of a resilient, inclusive, and people-centred ASEAN.
