MANILA, Philippines – A group of civil society organizations have expressed disappointment over the “non-mention” of migrant labor issues in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Charter.
Asked to comment on the charter during ratification hearings by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Thursday, the Solidarity for Asian Peoples ‘ Advocacies (Sapa) Working Group and of the Philippine Working Group on Asean also pointed to a “limited reference” to gender and women’s rights, internal conflicts, asylum seekers, and indigenous peoples.
“Missing elements (in the charter) include the non-mention of migrant labor which makes up a substantial portion of labor flows in the region,” said Jenina Joy Chavez, who spoke on behalf of the working groups.
