Working Group Statement on the
ASEAN Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of the
Rights of Migrant Workers
The ASEAN Declaration on the Promotion and Protection of
the Rights of Migrant Workers is a positive step in safeguarding
the fundamental rights and dignity of migrant workers across
the region. While the Declaration does not contain concrete
and specific terms on how to implement its provisions, the
Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism (Working
Group) sees it as a significant move towards the creation
of a sectoral mechanism or instrument that can further promote
and protect the rights of
migrant workers as envisioned by the Vientiane Action Programme.
The Working Group supports all efforts of ASEAN and its
member countries in promoting and protecting the rights
of migrant workers. This could very well be done so through
a regional human rights mechanism, or at least through a
sectoral human rights mechanism on migrant workers.
At present, the Working Group is conducting a research
study that looks into the situation of migrant workers in
the region, and analyzes laws and policies on migrant workers
at regional and country levels. It will also consider the
commonalities and differences of protection measures in
ASEAN countries, and the strengths and limitations of these
measures. The goal is to come up with recommendations on
the shape and substance of the ASEAN migrant workers instrument,
including the appropriate process by which it may be realized
and implemented.
We are encouraged by ASEAN’s commitment to submit
an annual report on the process of the implementation of
the Declaration to the Summit. We also look forward to further
work with ASEAN on strengthening mechanisms of promotion
and protection of all human rights, including those of migrant
workers.
