Delegates from the member-states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather today in Manila for the 4th ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference.
Delegates from the member-states of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) gather today in Manila for the 4th ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference.
Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz announced this yesterday as the DOLE, as organizer and host of the event, prepares for the two-day conference aimed at promoting regional partnerships to strengthen the network of labor inspectorates within the ASEAN.
The ASEAN groups together the ten countries in the region, namely, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Pasay City will be the venue of the conference, from 3-4 July 2014.
“I am pleased to welcome in the 4th ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference the senior officials not only of the ASEAN, but also the delegates and representatives of the International Association of Labour Inspection (IALI); ASEAN Services Employees Trade Union Council (ASETUC); ASEAN Confederation of Employers (ACE); ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC),” said Baldoz, who expressed gratitude to the International Labour Organization (ILO) for supporting the conference under its ASEAN Triangle Project.
The labor and employment chief will deliver the keynote message to the conference, while DOLE Undersecretary Rebecca C. Chato will welcome the delegates and participants.
According to Baldoz, the conference intends to develop labor inspection guidelines for local workers as well as for the migrant-reliant sectors which will serve as a benchmark for the ASEAN member-states on how to better protect and promote the rights and welfare of local and migrant workers through labor inspection.
“It also aims to address particular challenges related to work-sector, age, and legal status of migrants and local workers,” she said.
Baldoz explained that this is consistent with the aim of International Labor Organization’s (ILO) ASEAN Triangle project to craft public goods to strengthen regional policies and enhance the capacities of ASEAN member-states on labor migration governance.
The two-day conference will be highlighted by country presentations and discussions on ASEAN Good Practices on Labor Inspection (ASEAN Models on Inspection); Training and Capacity Building for Labor Inspectors; and Identified Challenges and Solutions on Inspection and Emerging Issues (OSH Issues on Migrant Workers).
To further strengthen interest on addressing labour inspection effectiveness, enforcement of national safety and health laws, and concerns surrounding labour migration, child labour, and the agricultural sector among ASEAN member states, the 4th ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference seeks to enable ASEAN member states to continue to share information and exchange views aimed at promoting safe, fair, healthy and productive workplace conditions for both local and migrant workers in ASEAN.
It will also adopt implementation strategies on how to proceed with the Action Plan agreed upon during the 2nd ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference in Dong Nai, Vietnam in October 2012.
The first ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference was held on 13-14 October 2010 in Ha Long, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam, while the 3rd ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference was held in Bali, Indonesia last 3-4 July 2013.
“The ASEAN Labor Inspection Conference is one of the activities initiated to address the priority areas identified under the ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Work Programme for the period 2001-2010 which was produced during the 21st ASEAN Labor Ministers’ Meeting,” Baldoz said. (Justine Nicole Quing-Quing/DOLE)