Bongbong Marcos says Asean should be prepared to help migrant workers

ASEAN leaders in a photo dated September 5, 2023

JAKARTA, Indonesia — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday told regional leaders that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) must be ready to help migrant workers.

During the 43rd Asean Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, Marcos said Philippines is ready to help enact regional guidelines for overseas workers.

“We must be ready to assist those who have toiled to contribute significantly to our economies as our migrant workers,” the Chief Executive said during the plenary of the Summit.

“In this regard, the Philippines stands ready to lead and support efforts to operationalize the Asean Guidelines on the Protection of Migrant Workers and Family Members in Crisis Situations,” he pointed out.

Philippines has almost two million overseas Filipino workers, based on the data of Philippine Statistics Authority.

“As the Voluntary Lead Shepherd for the cooperation against Trafficking in Persons (TIP), the Philippines will continue to call for more concerted efforts in intensifying regional and international cooperation, especially in mobilizing resources to prevent and combat the abuse of technology in TIP,” Marcos said.

“We look forward to operationalizing the Asean Leaders’ Declaration on Combating Trafficking in Persons Caused by the Abuse of Technology,” he added.

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