Creating a fair and sustainable workforce in Asia Pacific

Employers must recognise that a world of work where employees are not treated fairly will lead to poor social outcomes, a weak social compact, and divided societies. “Ultimately, businesses cannot thrive in such fractured societies,” said Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower.

He also encouraged employees to cooperate with their employers to transform their skills, take on new jobs, and adapt to new ways of working to thrive in an economic environment that is evolving rapidly.

Tan was speaking at the end of a regional meeting held by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), where about 400 employees, employers, and government representatives from 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific region committed to providing decent working conditions for employees.

Countries should abide by ILO conventions to further strengthen the capacities of government, employer, and worker representatives to carry out effective social dialogue, read the Singapore Statement, which highlights the shared vision of the region’s priorities in the coming years. 

READ: Wages prove that paper qualification matters in Singapore

The statement also called on member countries to close wage and workforce participation gaps between genders, protect the rights of migrant workers, strengthen social protection, and improve workplace safety.

To provide more jobs that focus on digital transformation, digital divide and lifelong learning, efforts should be made to revitalise productivity growth and skills development, it noted.