Underscoring the country’s commitment to push for migrant workers’ protection, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) led the launch of a primer on the ASEAN consensus on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers.
Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said through the agreement, ASEAN member-states “have taken the first steps toward building a region where migrant workers’ rights are upheld; where dignified and productive employment choices are available; and where social protection is guaranteed, especially for those workers in the vulnerable and disadvantaged sectors.”
He enjoined everyone to “continue working hand-in-hand in pushing our migrant workers’ agenda at the global stage.”
Labor Undersecretary Claro Arellano, meanwhile, expressed the department’s hope that the primer on the ASEAN consensus will be widely-disseminated and further translated into the local language of the ASEAN member-states.
This is to ensure appreciation and support from policy-makers, program implementers, social partners, as well as the migrant workers and their families, he added.
The primer is a handy and practical reference for understanding the landmark document signed by ASEAN leaders during the 31st ASEAN Summit held in Manila in November 2017.
“It answers the important questions on the ASEAN consensus and is creatively done to catch and hold the public’s attention,” Director Albert Valenciano of OWWA’s Policy and Program Development said.
The ASEAN consensus contains 62 articles, which states, among others, the fundamental rights of migrant workers and the members of their families, specific rights of migrant workers, obligations of sending and receiving states, as well as commitments of ASEAN member states.
Also gracing the launch were Director Aian Caringal of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Division of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) OIC-Secretary Emmanuel Leyco at the DOLE’s Labor Governance Learning Center in Intramuros, Manila.
News source: DOLE
