Cebu: The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have endorsed a checklist initiated by the Philippines aimed at ensuring the effective return and reintegration of Southeast Asian migrant workers.

According to Philippines News Agency, the ASEAN Labor Ministers Meeting recently adopted the ASEAN Guidelines on the Effective Return and Reintegration of Migrant Workers. This was formally submitted for ASEAN leaders' notation under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr's Chairship at the 48th ASEAN Summit held in Cebu.

In a statement released on Saturday, the Philippines mentioned that the ASEAN leaders supported the document. It was noted as a significant step in promoting sustainable livelihoods for returning Southeast Asian nationals. Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac remarked that the checklist, developed under the leadership of the Philippines through the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), will act as a regional guide for ASEAN countries. This guide aims to strengthen policies that aid in the safe return and reintegration of migrant workers.

The checklist was crafted in response to the coronavirus pandemic, serving as a voluntary strategic tool for ASEAN member states. It addresses the impacts of health, geopolitical, and natural or human-induced crises on migrant workers, ensuring these effects are effectively managed.

The initiative by the DMW is designed to enhance coordination, monitoring, benchmarking, and evidence-based policymaking across ASEAN, especially during crises affecting migrant workers. The DMW also plans to collaborate with relevant government agencies to lead regional workshops and capacity-building activities. These efforts will help ASEAN states implement the checklist and facilitate the return of their nationals, particularly during times of crisis.