ILO, Australia, Switzerland Forge Landmark Partnership for Fair Labor Migration in ASEAN

ILO, Australia, Switzerland Forge Landmark Partnership for Fair Labor Migration in ASEAN

By Jerome Aning – TheNATIONWEEK.com | October 17, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The International Labor Organization (ILO), in a pivotal collaboration with the governments of Australia and Switzerland, has recently launched a comprehensive five-year initiative, “TRIANGLE Partnerships for Fair and Effective Labor Migration in ASEAN.” This program, backed by approximately US$20 million from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), aims to strengthen protections, enhance skills, and expand decent work opportunities for migrant workers across the ASEAN region.

Unveiled on October 14, 2026, during the 19th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) in Manila, TRIANGLE Partnerships represents an escalation of over 15 years of Australian governmental commitment to fostering safe and equitable labor migration within ASEAN.

Labor migration remains a cornerstone of ASEAN economies, with an estimated 24 million international migrants originating from the region and approximately 11 million hosted within it. However, a significant portion of these workers grapple with exploitative recruitment costs, inadequate labor and social protections, hazardous working conditions, and unacknowledged skills. These vulnerabilities are increasingly linked to exploitation and trafficking, including forced criminality in scam center operations.

“Grounded in international labor standards, TRIANGLE Partnerships will bridge ASEAN commitments with tangible national actions and on-the-ground services,” stated Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. “This ensures migrant workers secure decent work, develop and leverage their skills, and receive essential protection and support throughout their migration journey.”

The program will operate across ASEAN, with targeted country-level activities in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Timor-Leste. Its strategic focus encompasses five critical areas impacting workers throughout the entire migration cycle: fair recruitment and regular pathways, skills mobility and development, social protection and benefit portability, robust labor protection and decent work, and effective return and reintegration. A broad spectrum of stakeholders, including governments, employer and worker organizations, ASEAN institutions, civil society, migrant worker associations, and the private sector, will be integral to its implementation.

H.E. Tiffany McDonald, Ambassador of Australia to ASEAN, emphasized, “Australia’s continued support for TRIANGLE Partnerships reflects our enduring commitment to safe and effective labor migration in ASEAN. This program will translate regional commitments into practical action, promoting decent work, fortifying migrant worker protections, and addressing evolving challenges, including those stemming from scam center operations. It ensures the benefits of economic integration are broadly shared across ASEAN, supporting inclusive economic growth, strengthening regional ties, and creating opportunities for workers, employers, and communities.”

Building upon a decade of ILO work under the TRIANGLE initiative, this new partnership expands into additional countries, with a heightened emphasis on skills development and recognition. It will strategically connect ASEAN-level cooperation with national policies and direct worker support, including through vital Migrant Worker Resource Centres offering information, counseling, legal assistance, training, and referrals.

H.E. Konstantin Obolensky, Ambassador-designate of Switzerland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, and ASEAN, underscored the importance of skills: “Skills unlock better jobs, higher incomes, and greater economic opportunity. Switzerland’s extensive investment in vocational skills development, domestically and internationally, recognizes that a skilled workforce benefits the entire economy and addresses evolving labor market needs. Through TRIANGLE Partnerships, we aim to ensure migrant workers acquire relevant, recognized skills, and utilize them for enhanced opportunities throughout their migration journey. As we commemorate 10 years of the Switzerland-ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, we proudly launch this program to narrow development gaps across ASEAN.”

Running from 2026 to 2031, TRIANGLE Partnerships is poised to significantly reshape the landscape of labor migration, championing fairness and effectiveness for millions of workers in the ASEAN region.

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