ASEAN celebrates 50 years of labor cooperation

The 28th ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Meeting (28th ALMM) and the 13th ASEAN Plus Three Labor Ministers’ Meeting (13th ALMM+3) concluded today in Singapore. The ASEAN Member States (AMS) and the ASEAN Secretary-General participated in the meetings. China, Japan and the Republic of Korea attended the 13th ALMM+3. East Timor participated in both meetings as an observer.

The 28th ALMM commemorated 50 years of cooperation in the labor sector since its inaugural meeting in 1975. A commemorative video and the launch of a time capsule marked the celebration, which highlighted the main milestones, projects and achievements of labor cooperation of ASEAN over the past five decades. The time capsule will be displayed at the ASEAN Secretariat headquarters in Jakarta.

The meeting was opened by ALMM President 2024-2026, HE Dr Tan See Leng, Minister of Manpower of Singapore. “As we celebrate 50 years of ASEAN labor cooperation, we reflected on the shared achievements and progress made in building a resilient workforce across the region. Singapore is proud to be part of this journey and remains committed to strengthening regional cooperation to meet the challenges of the future world of work. By improving skills development, protecting workers’ rights and promoting decent work, we can ensure that ASEAN’s workforce is prepared to seize the opportunities of the future,” said HE Dr Tan See Leng, Minister of Manpower of Singapore and President of the ALMM.

Presentation of the logo and theme of the ASEAN-Malaysia 2025 presidency

In his speech, ASEAN Secretary-General, H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, highlighted the critical role that the ALMM has played in addressing key labor issues in the region over the past five decades.

He underlined the relevance of the 28th ALMM theme, “Strengthening Resilience and Promoting Innovation”, in line with the realization of the upcoming ASEAN Community Vision 2045 for a resilient, innovative, dynamic and people-focused ASEAN Community. the people. Dr Kao expressed confidence that ALMM cooperation beyond 2025 will be fruitful, leveraging technology, fostering skills development and promoting a future-ready workforce responsive to the region’s dynamic labor markets.

The meetings reviewed progress made in the implementation of the ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Work Program 2021-2025 in the areas of occupational safety and health, labor inspection, protection of migrant workers, including migrant fishermen, social protection, promotion of green jobs, gender mainstreaming in labor and employment policies, and promotion of a future-ready workforce, among others.

The 28th ALMM commemorated 50 years of cooperation in the labor sector since its inaugural meeting in 1975

Initiatives to follow up on numerous ASEAN Declarations adopted over the past five years were discussed. The meeting also discussed the Vientiane Declaration on the Mobility, Recognition and Skills Development of Migrant Workers and its checklist, the ASEAN Declaration on the Prevention of Child Labour, including the Elimination of the Worst forms of child labour, the ASEAN Guidelines on the Portability of Social Security Benefits for Migrant Workers in ASEAN and the ASEAN Guidelines on the Placement and Protection of Migrant Fishermen.

These final documents were recently adopted or noted at the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits, held on 9 October 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The Meetings supported the development of the ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Work Program for 2026-2030, guided by the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and responding to current labor issues in the region. Priorities related to the work of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025 were shared, including a series of activities for Malaysia’s planned 2025 ASEAN Skills Year.