Pasig City: The Philippines has renewed its call for a region-wide commitment to ethical recruitment and stronger migrant protections as it hosted the ASEAN Workshop on Regional Actions on Fair and Ethical Recruitment Practices in Pasig City on Wednesday. In a news release, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac underscored the need for ASEAN member states to deepen cooperation and ensure that migrant workers are recruited and employed under fair, safe, and dignified conditions.
According to Philippines News Agency, a key highlight of the event was the regional rollout of the Checklist on Fair Recruitment and Decent Employment Practices, a tool jointly developed by the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam to guide ASEAN countries in aligning labor migration policies with international standards. The workshop was attended by delegates from all ASEAN states, as well as representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), recruitment agencies, labor unions, and employers. These participants shared their assessments of current practices, experiences, and ideas for creating a collaborative path forward.
Meanwhile, Cacdac emphasized that protecting migrant workers extends beyond recruitment. He called for institutional support systems that guarantee access to legal services, healthcare, social security, and emergency aid, especially in cases of abuse or crisis. "Access to legal services, healthcare and social security are crucial in ensuring better protection of the rights and welfare of migrant workers," he stated. "Crisis support systems must be in place in the event of unfortunate situations to provide immediate assistance and support to the affected migrant workers."
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) noted that the workshop outcomes will contribute to preparations for the Philippines' hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026, where labor mobility and migrant protections are expected to be a key focus of the regional agenda. The workshop forms part of a week-long series of activities organized by the DMW, in partnership with the ILO and IOM, to reaffirm the Philippines' commitment to the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, running from June 23 to 27.
The event is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the European Union, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the ASEAN Secretariat.
