ASEAN Labour Ministers' Statement on the Future of Work

On the 29^th of April 2019, the labour ministers of ASEAN member states convened to discuss the challenges of the Future of Work and Inclusive Growth. The representatives agreed on 9 action steps that shall guide and inform the policies of national labour ministires. The 9 action steps are summarised in the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Statement on the future of work: embraching technology for inclusive and sustainable growth:

1. Strengthen the capacity of public and private institutions by preparing the workforce for the future, exposing them to new technology, increasing closer cooperation with industries, improving TVET standards and using TVET to skill, up skill and re-skill their workers.
2. Adopting policies initiatives and training to increase participation of women, people with disabilities, elderly and youth in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related careers.
3. Encourage and support efforts of businesses to improve the quantity and quality of jobs in both existing and emerging sectors of employment, by investing in decent work according to international standards and to harness and manage technology.
4. Share best practices among ASEAN Member States on implementing responsive policies and initiatives to address the changing nature of employment relationships.
5. Promote fiscally sustainable public and private national social protection initiatives in ASEAN Member States for the well-being of workers and improve their retirement adequacy.
6. Support efforts of employers’ and workers’ organisations in developing necessary capabilities for collective representation and social dialogue
7. Strengthen tripartite relations to enable all partners to work collectively towards continued sustainable development of the ASEAN Community and creation of decent work for our workforce;
8. Enhance collaboration with relevant stakeholders to facilitate a coordinated ASEAN response in preparing the ASEAN workforce and businesses; and
9. Increase cooperation between ASEAN and ASEAN’s external partners to facilitate sharing of models, best practices, and experiences in preparing workers to adapt to future jobs.