ILO and Singapore Continue Partnership for Decent Work in ASEAN

Achieving decent work for all is still an ongoing quest across ASEAN countries. Continuous support and collaboration are crucial to addressing various work-related issues, especially in dealing with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June 2024, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Singapore agreed to continue their partnership to push for decent work in ASEAN.

Decent Work in ASEAN

Decent work encompasses multiple aspects, from fair income to workers’ welfare and social protection. It also means erasing child labor, forced marriage, and other forms of modern slavery.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic caused mass unemployment for millions of people in ASEAN. The unemployment rate went from 2.5% in 2019 to 3.1% that year. Although the region has been working to rebuild the job landscape after the pandemic has relatively subsided, ASEAN must also look out for other potential global crises such as climate change, disasters, and political instability.

Achieving decent work means employers must be prepared to respond to possible economic shocks in the face of global crises, including creating safety nets for their workers. At the same time, governments and organizations must also take part in creating regulations, policies, and programs that are centered around decent work in ASEAN.

ILO-Singapore Partnership

On 12 June 2024, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and Singapore signed an agreement to continue their long-standing partnership to support decent work in ASEAN. The Partnership Agreement will be valid for two years, from June 2024 to June 2026.

Under this partnership, the ILO and Singapore will work together to implement various activities focusing on occupational safety and health, skills development, and cooperation between countries in the Global South. Furthermore, the partnership also includes plans and actions for capacity building to strengthen the ability of governments, employers, and workers to engage in social dialogue on decent work in ASEAN.

Since 2012, the ILO and Singapore have partnered to foster decent work in ASEAN through human resources management and development programs. In 2022, the Singapore Statement was signed by the organization to further affirm its commitment to the issue. Thus, the newest agreement will extend this partnership.

“This agreement will see a continuation of our valuable collaboration which has delivered tangible benefits for many years across the region,” said Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, during the signing.

Preparedness Is Key

In addition to the possible threats of multiple global crises, the job landscape today must also keep up with the stream of new skills, tools, and technology. Therefore, it is crucial for governments, employers, and workers across the ASEAN region to also prepare the necessary skills for this development. All in all, achieving decent work for all means ensuring that workers can safely thrive and develop in their working environments.

Editor: Nazalea Kusuma

Kresentia Madina

Reporter at Green Network Asia | Website | + posts

Madina is the Assistant Manager of Stakeholder Engagement at Green Network Asia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Studies from Universitas Indonesia. As part of the GNA In-House Team, she supports the organization's multi-stakeholder engagement across international organizations, governments, businesses, civil society, and grassroots communities through digital publications, events, capacity building, and research.