SIEM REAP, 22 October 2025 – The 21st ASEAN Senior Labour Officials Meeting (21st SLOM), attended by senior officials from all ASEAN Member States and Timor-Leste as an observer, concluded today with renewed commitment to advance regional labour cooperation in post-2025 towards an inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready ASEAN Community. It was chaired by Ms. Joan Moh, Deputy Secretary (Workplaces), Ministry of Manpower of Singapore.
The meeting was officially opened by H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia, who underscored the shared aspirations of ASEAN for solidarity, sustainability, and prosperity. He highlighted the importance of a just transition, enhanced digital skills, and robust social protection systems, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
Senior labour officials reviewed the progress of implementation of the ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Work Programme 2021-2025, including initiatives related to workforce competitiveness and resilience, green jobs promotion, protection of migrant workers, digital and future-ready skills, occupational safety and health (OSH), and the elimination of child labour. The meeting also deliberated on the finalisation of the new Work Programme 2026–2030 and the Work Plans of its subsidiary bodies, including the proposed monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and endorsement timelines.
The Philippines, as incoming ASEAN Chair, shared its labour priorities for 2026, including skills development, reintegration support for migrant workers, and strengthening tripartite partnerships. The meeting welcomed the Philippines’ leadership in the development of the terms of reference (TOR) for the pool of funds to support the human resource development agenda in the region.
The meeting also explored future collaboration with external partners, particularly the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the RECOTwin Project (Future-oriented Labour Market Policy and Vocational Training for Twin Transition). The external partners expressed strong support for continued labour cooperation with ASEAN.
Following the 21st SLOM, the 23rd ASEAN Plus Three Senior Labour Officials Meeting (23rd SLOM+3) was convened with the participation of China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. The Meeting reaffirmed initiatives to deepening ASEAN Plus Three collaboration on employment, skills development, social protection, and labour market resilience.
The Meetings concluded with appreciation to Thailand, the incoming SLOM Chair, for its readiness to host the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM), the 22nd SLOM, 24th SLOM+3, and related meetings in 2026. The Meeting also expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training for the excellent arrangement of the 21st SLOM and 23rd SLOM+3.
Photo credit: Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training of Cambodia
