ASEAN adopts declaration to beef up migrant worker protection

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Southeast Asian leaders have adopted a regional declaration seeking to curb abusive recruitment practices and strengthen protections for migrant ...

MANILA – Southeast Asian leaders have adopted a regional declaration seeking to curb abusive recruitment practices and strengthen protections for migrant workers, including Filipinos vulnerable to illegal recruitment, human trafficking and online employment scams during the 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.

The ASEAN Declaration on Fair, Ethical and Sustainable Recruitment for Empowered Migrant Workers seeks to promote transparent, fair, and accountable recruitment practices; prevent excessive and unreasonable recruitment fees; ensure equal employment opportunities and protection for migrant workers; strengthen the regulation and oversight of recruitment agencies; enhance access to justice and effective remedies; and foster greater cooperation among ASEAN Member States.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said the declaration would help protect around 600,000 Filipino migrant workers across ASEAN member states by strengthening safeguards throughout the recruitment and employment process.

“This declaration ... advances ASEAN instruments towards the protection and promotion of rights of migrant workers,” Cacdac said during a press briefing on Sunday.

He said the agreement also addresses emerging challenges in labor migration, particularly online recruitment and employment schemes that expose workers to exploitation.

Cacdac cited the need for closer coordination between countries of origin and destination, including the recognition of each other's recruitment licensing and processing systems.

The declaration also seeks to prohibit excessive or unreasonable recruitment fees and strengthen policies on the licensing and monitoring of recruitment and manning agencies.

Cacdac said the framework would reinforce cooperation in rescuing and repatriating Filipinos caught in scam hubs, while ensuring access to legal assistance and welfare services for those detained or held in host countries.

DMW Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara said the…

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