JAKARTA, 26 August 2022 – Recognising the recent developments in migration movements and policies in the region, especially in time of crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the ASEAN Secretariat initiated the ASEAN Migration Outlook to support Member States in implementing the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers.

The Outlook primarily examines effectiveness of return and reintegration programmes and mechanisms in the time of health emergency. It also reveals the challenges encountered by the returned migrant workers, including the issues of access to social security and assistance, unsettled claims, unpaid wages, and high cost of return.

As borders reopen and economic recovery underway, the Outlook recommends actions for improvement including on migrant workers’ wider access to social security benefits especially upon return home.

At the Regional Forum and Launch of the ASEAN Migration Outlook on 13 July 2022,  Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community of ASEAN Ekkaphab Phanthavong expressed trust that the Outlook would offer new insights and perspectives that are beneficial to the ASEAN policy makers in strengthening policies and strategies for safe and orderly movement of migrant workers in our region.

Please refer to the e-publication of the ASEAN Migration Outlook for details of the findings, analysis and policy recommendations available at: https://asean.org/book/asean-migration-outlook/

The Outlook is a project of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. It is supported by the Australian Government through the ASEAN Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children Implementation Project implemented by The Asia Foundation.

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