Pasay city: The Philippines is advocating for draft recommendations aimed at advancing safe migration and promoting decent work throughout Southeast Asia. This initiative is spearheaded by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

According to Philippines News Agency, the proposals were developed during the 18th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labor (AFML) Philippines National Tripartite Preparatory Workshop held in Pasay City. The recommendations aim to bolster ASEAN's regional commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of migrant workers. DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara emphasized that these policies would benefit not only overseas Filipino workers but also all migrant workers in ASEAN, fostering inclusive growth in the region.

Supported by the International Labor Organization (ILO), representatives from government, employer groups, workers, and civil society collaborated to ensure the recommendations align with ASEAN's long-term labor migration framework and the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Philippines put forward 22 recommendations, which include measures to address the comprehensive needs of migrant workers and their families, monitor SDG progress, and sustain past migration initiatives.

Key recommendations involve revising labor migration policies for enhanced protection, ensuring full labor rights and social protection, criminalizing deceptive recruitment and forced labor, and empowering workers through access to information under SDG 8.7. For SDG 8.8.1, the proposal calls for stronger enforcement of occupational safety and health standards in sectors dominated by migrant workers and the implementation of ASEAN guidelines on social security benefits portability.

To address SDG 8.8.2, the recommendations suggest implementing more lenient laws to allow migrant workers to enjoy freedom of association and collective bargaining. The recommendations also propose measures to protect workers and employers from unjust recruitment fees and promote safe and affordable remittance services for migrant workers.

DOLE Assistant Secretary Lennard Constantine Serrano praised the outcome of the workshop, emphasizing ASEAN's strength in shared responsibility and the collective wisdom reflected in the draft proposal.