ILO Office for the United States and Canada’s Post

Migrant domestic workers provide crucial direct and indirect care to households across ASEAN, often considered medium-skilled by international standards. Despite this, many face forced labour and exploitation. This #DomesticWorkersDay, we spotlight the @ILO’s #TRIANGLEinASEAN study on migrant domestic workers' experiences in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. Swipe for key insights👇 #DomesticWorkersDay #C189 #DecentWork

The ILO TRIANGLE in ASEAN programme has published an extremely timely background paper on migrant care work in South-East Asia. Due to ageing populations in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, there will be major increases in the need for care services and a reduction in the national labour forces available to provide the required care. A future reckoning is coming for countries in South-East Asia who fail to adequately value and protect the rights of migrant care workers.

The ASEAN Declaration on Skills Mobility, Recognition and Development for Migrant Workers fills a longstanding policy gap in ASEAN frameworks.     Ratna Purwaning Wardhani of Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower, highlights how this Declaration can help address skills mismatches faced by migrant workers.

🌏 The new ASEAN Declaration on Skills Mobility, Recognition and Development for Migrant Workers is a milestone towards ensuring that skilled migrant workers in the region can access decent employment opportunities and fair wages, including for the estimated 1.3 million migrant workers from Cambodia. International Labour Organization's Akiko Sakamoto and Marja Paavilainen explain why this will make a difference 👇 . Skills and Lifelong Learning, IOM - UN Migration

🌍 More than 50% of migrant workers in ASEAN are in middle skilled jobs but often their skills go unrecognized and as a result they receive less respect and wages than they deserve.    The ILO’s Akiko Sakamoto & Marja Paavilainen, highlight why skills recognition & mobility matter, and how the adoption of the landmark ASEAN Declaration on Skills Mobility & Development for migrants, in collaboration with the IOM will make a difference.

𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐢𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 We're grateful for our partnership with the International Labour Organization - ILO in championing domestic worker’s rights. We are proud of the role we played in the research that was crucial in driving the important policy reform. The research conducted by Rapid Asia on behalf of ILO in 2022 confirmed the unequal treatment and lack of basic labour protection mechanisms for domestic migrant workers in Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore. The report, "Skilled to care, forced to work?" highlighted the urgent need for policy reforms to address issues such as minimum wage, and forced labour. We're proud to share that evidence-based research has led to significant change in Thailand! The Royal Thai Government has recently launched new regulations to protect the rights of domestic workers, ultimately improving their living conditions. This development demonstrates the power of concrete and simple data in driving real and sustainable change. If you want to learn more about our contribution, please visit: https://bit.ly/3W7J3Hh #ILO #migrantworkers #domesticworkersrights #evidencebasedadvocacy #policyreform #Thailand #RapidAsia

The report by CNA (Channel NewsAsia) provides a comprehensive analysis of Malaysia's ongoing efforts to tackle the issue of scams that have adversely affected a significant number of migrant workers, with a particular focus on the challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrants. These individuals have fallen victim to deceptive syndicates, leading to their immense struggle in securing employment opportunities. The report delves into the various tactics employed by these syndicates to deceive unsuspecting Bangladeshi migrants, shedding light on the intricate web of manipulation and exploitation that these individuals find themselves trapped in. It highlights the heartbreaking stories of those who have been lured into false promises of lucrative jobs, only to find themselves stranded and helpless in a foreign land. Furthermore, the report explores the detrimental impact of these scams on the overall well-being and livelihoods of the affected migrants. It delves into the financial hardships they face, as they often fall into debt due to exorbitant recruitment fees and are left with no means to support themselves or their families back home. Overall, the report serves as a wake-up call to the severity of the issue and the urgent need for collective action to protect vulnerable migrant workers. By providing a detailed account of the challenges faced by Bangladeshi migrants and the steps taken by Malaysia to address the problem, the report aims to raise awareness and encourage further efforts to combat scams and ensure the safety and well-being of all migrant workers. #migrantworkers #foreignworkers #bangladeshiworkers #malaysia #bangladesh #CNA

🌍 Empowering Migrant Workers through Skills Recognition! In the ASEAN region, skills recognition is crucial to ensuring that migrant workers gain the respect and wages they deserve. With the recent Declaration on Skills Mobility Recognition and Development for Migrants, agreed upon by ASEAN leaders, a significant step forward has been taken to support their livelihoods and opportunities. This important initiative aligns with the ASEAN Year of Skills 2025, reinforcing the region's commitment to developing and recognizing skills for a brighter future. Discover how this declaration will make a real difference for migrant workers in ASEAN! #ASEANSkills #MigrantWorkers #SkillsDevelopment #ASEAN2025 #SkillsMobility

Enhancing Migration Services for Indonesian Migrant Workers (PMI): Towards Integrated Placement and Protection The protection of Indonesian migrant workers (PMI) remains a critical issue in ensuring their rights to fair treatment and safe working conditions, as enshrined in Indonesia's Constitution. Despite the existence of regulations like Law No. 18 of 2017 and Government Regulation No. 59 of 2021, challenges in implementation persist, particularly for non-procedural migrants. Key Challenges: Rising Cases of Non-Procedural PMI: Over 10,000 non-procedural PMIs had their departures delayed in 2023. Cases of abuse, including verbal, physical, and sexual violence, remain prevalent. Inefficiency in Service Delivery: Complex administrative processes and poor inter-agency integration push many to opt for unsafe routes. Lack of Oversight: Weak monitoring of formally registered PMIs increases their vulnerability to exploitation. Proposed Solutions: Streamlined Bureaucracy: Implement a one-stop service system via digital applications to simplify PMI registration and ensure efficient service delivery. Structured Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Introduce clear guidelines covering registration, training, placement, and legal oversight to protect PMIs effectively. Integrated Supervision: Foster collaboration among agencies such as BP3MI and local labor departments to monitor compliance and prevent illegal placements. Increased Transparency and Accountability: Adopt policies emphasizing open communication and reliable public service delivery at every stage of the migration process. The Way Forward: A regulatory model that integrates simplified processes, inter-agency collaboration, and robust digital solutions can ensure PMIs receive fair treatment and legal protection. By bridging policy gaps and focusing on efficient service delivery, Indonesia can safeguard its migrant workers and their contributions to the national economy. #MigrantWorkers #PolicyInnovation #SocialProtection #Indonesia #GlobalWorkforce #SustainableDevelopment