19 Sep 2017
19-Sep-2017
Source: ASEAN Secretariat News
ASEAN to protect and promote rights of migrant workers
MANILA, 19 September 2017 - The Ministers of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council endorsed the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers on 13 September in Tagaytay City, Philippines. The ASCC Ministers also heralded a new “Culture of Prevention” in the region when it endorsed for adoption the ASEAN Declaration on the “Culture of Prevention” that rallies coordinated action of ASEAN sectoral bodies in addressing root causes of various societal problems like violent extremism.
The ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers dubbed as the ASEAN Consensus, brought regional cooperation to greater heights in building a people-centred, people oriented community, since the signing of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers in 2007. “The many years of tireless negotiations have brought to fore many issues surrounding labour migration and enabled member states to better understand one another and work out solutions towards better protection and promotion of rights of our migrant workers,” said Deputy Secretary-General for ASCC Vongthep Arthakaivalvatee.
The “Culture of Prevention” is a brand-new initiative pioneered by the ASCC which catalyses the transformation of mind sets in addressing root causes of cross-cutting problems from “business as usual” approach into innovative, pro-active and responsive mode.
The Leaders of ASEAN will sign the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers and adopt the ASEAN Declaration on ‘Culture of Prevention’ for a Peaceful, Inclusive, Resilient, Healthy and Harmonious Society at the 31st ASEAN Summit on 13-14 November 2017 in Manila.
In their 18th ASCC Council, the Ministers also endorsed seven Declarations/Joint Statements for the consideration of the ASEAN Leaders at their 31st ASEAN Summit. Other Declarations/Joint Statement endorsed by the 18th ASCC for adoption or notation by the ASEAN Leaders cover areas such as gender, malnutrition, anti-microbial resistance, youth development, disaster health management, women and environment.
The 18th ASCCC Council expressed satisfaction on the progress made in the implementation of the ASCC Blueprint 2025, the work plans of the various sectoral bodies of the ASCC including cross-cutting initiatives and community-building issues. The meeting also commended the commemorative activities that celebrate ASEAN’s 50th year and promote awareness and community building.
Further, the meeting noted with satisfaction the successful convening of the Special Session of ASEAN Labour Ministers on Occupational Safety and Health on the occasion of the XXI World Congress on Safety and Health at Work 2017. It also noted the ASEAN Labour Ministers Statement on Improving Occupational Safety for Sustainable Economic Growth and looked forward to its implementation by the Senior Labour Officials of ASEAN.
The meeting congratulated the Philippines for having successfully completed its term as Chair of the ASCC Council in 2017 and looked forward to the chairmanship of Singapore in 2018.
Download the full Joint Ministerial Statement of The Eighteenth (18th) ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council here.
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