ASEAN promotes competitiveness, adaptability of labourers

The 26th ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM) and the 11th ASEAN Labour Minsters’ Meeting Plus Three (ALMM+3) were held on online on October 28. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi – The 26th ASEAN Labour Ministers’ Meeting (ALMM) and the 11th ASEAN Labour Minsters’ Meeting Plus Three (ALMM+3) were held on online on October 28 with Indonesia as the host.

The ALMM brought together 10 ministers in charge of labour affairs from ASEAN member countries and the ASEAN Secretary General. The Vietnamese delegation to the event was headed by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung.

At the ALMM, the delegates reviewed labour-related activities rolled out over the past two years.

They acknowledged statements, that have been adopted, including the ASEAN Declaration on Human Resources Development for the Changing World of Work, the ASEAN Labour Ministers' Statement on the Future of Work: Embracing Technology for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth, the ASEAN Declaration on Promoting Green Jobs for Equity and Inclusive Growth of the ASEAN Community, the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers, the Vientiane Declaration on Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Decent Work Promotion in ASEAN, and the ASEAN Labour Minister's Statement on improving Occupational Safety and Health for Sustainable Economic Growth.

The ministers approved a working plan for the 2021-2025 period, which is expected to serve as an important basis for the member countries to implement specific activities and projects in the time ahead.

They also ratified a number of documents to be submitted to the 37th ASEAN Summit slated for November.

At the end of the meeting, the ministers issued a joint statement, and agreed to convene the 27th meeting in the Philippines in 2022.

During the ALMM 3, ministers and delegation heads from ASEAN and the three partner countries of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) made proposals in order to promote the competitiveness and adaptability of ASEAN labourers.

They also committed to enhancing cooperation between the ten-member grouping and the three partner nations.

In his remarks, Minister Dung said the meetings are expected to significantly contribute to building capacity and preparing human resources for ASEAN so as to cope with the changing world of work in a timely and effective manner.

According to the minister, human resources development is one of the three strategic breakthroughs set in Vietnam’s 2011-2020 socio-economic development strategy.

Through the strategy, the rate of trained employees in Vietnam increased from 15.58 percent in 2011 to 24 percent and 2019, and is expected to meet the target of 25 percent this year.

Vietnam has earned high positions regionally in such indexes as human capital index, innovation and creation and human development indexes, the minister said, adding that the country is building a human resources development strategy for 2021-2030, focusing on human resources development adaptive to the fourth Industrial Revolution.

The ALMM 3 also adopted a joint statement. The next meeting will be held in the Philippines in 2022.