ASEAN struggles to protect labourers
The ASEAN Community, which took effect at the end of last year, has expressed concern about the movement of skilled workers around the region. But its interest in the unskilled labour remains poor, despite the fact that this group provides the real workforce that dominates labour flows around the region. International Organisation for Migration regional director Nenette Motus said one of the main challenges was the lack of protection and social security. Many low-skilled labourers, especially those in “irregular situations”, were excluded from social security systems, she said.
