Philippines Champions Worker Support in ASEAN Agenda for Economic Growth

The Philippines emphasized workers’ roles in driving growth at the 28th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) on Wednesday, calling for better regional support for workers’ concerns.

Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, who is also the outgoing ALMM Chairperson, addressed fellow labor ministers, underscoring the need to integrate labor issues into ASEAN’s political and economic pillars. Laguesma highlighted the importance of addressing these issues in a way that enhances workers’ opportunities and strengthens enterprises’ ability to create jobs and income.

During his statement, Laguesma pointed to potential areas for regional cooperation, including social protection for migrant workers, reviewing regulations, online recruitment, platform work, and support for the care economy. He also stressed the need for measures that combine social protections to reduce labor market risks and improve worker mobility.

The Philippines also supported efforts to streamline resource use, proposing a system to plan, monitor, and evaluate resource allocation. This would help ASEAN member states optimize access to funding and knowledge-sharing for joint projects.

The Philippine delegation at the meeting included Labor Undersecretaries Atty. Benedicto Ernesto R. Bitonio, Jr. and Carmela I. Torres, along with representatives from TESDA, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

The event was attended by ASEAN’s 10 member states, with Timor-Leste participating as an observer. Singapore will chair the ALMM from 2024 to 2026. (ASC)