ASEAN, EU join hands in protecting labour migrants in Southeast Asia
The 2nd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Safe and Fair Labour Migration and the launch of awareness-raising campaign videos for the ASEAN Safe and Fair Migration Campaign, held in the Philippines on July 4-7, brought together over 70 policymakers, practitioners, and representatives of civil society and international organisations.
Delegates to 2nd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Safe and Fair Labour Migration (Photo: ASEAN Secretariat)
Hanoi (VNA) - The 2nd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Safe and Fair LabourMigration and the launch of awareness-raising campaign videos for the ASEANSafe and Fair Migration Campaign, held in the Philippines on July 4-7, broughttogether over 70 policymakers, practitioners, and representatives of civilsociety and international organisations.
They explored ways to better protect the rights of 7.1million ASEAN migrants in the region, ensuring their valuable contribution tosustainable economic development.
The audio-visual products (AVPs) of the Public Campaign onSafe and Fair Migration in ASEAN were developed to equip prospective andcurrent migrant workers with reliable and comprehensive information to helpthem prepare better for migration and safeguard against exploitation. For moreeffective outreach, these materials are available in English, Khmer, BahasaIndonesia, Laotian, Burmese, Tagalog, Thai and Vietnamese.
In her keynote address, Philippine Migrant Workers SecretarySusan V. Ople noted the crucial role information and education play in theempowerment of millions of migrant workers across the region.
Chihoko Asada-Miyakawa, International Labour Organisation (ILO)Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, stated that with the resumption ofpost-pandemic labour migration, it is critical to strengthen informationand services to help make migration safe and fair.
These AVPs, supplementing existing education materials, willmake a valuable contribution towards decent work and social justice for womenand men migrant workers in the ASEAN region and beyond.
“Migration is a vital component of development, as it contributesto global economic growth and eradicating poverty. With the increasingprominence of migration in our society, there is a pressing need to prioritiseits safety and fairness”, Igor Driesmans, EU Ambassador to ASEAN, stated in hisremarks./.
The 30th ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) Meeting has been convened in Jakarta, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to strengthening ASEAN-EU cooperation and to uphold ASEAN centrality based on shared relevant fundamental principles of their respective Indo-Pacific approaches.
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) pledges to work closely with the Vietnamese Government to develop migrant workers’ skills, give them better employment chances, and improve their migration experience, said IOM Chief of Mission in Vietnam Park Mihyung.
Officials and experts from the EU and member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met in Bangkok from May 8-9 to discuss cooperation on competition policy and enforcement.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Delegates to 2nd ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Safe and Fair Labour Migration (Photo: ASEAN Secretariat) 
