The Philippines has renewed its call for a region-wide commitment to ethical recruitment and stronger migrant protections as it hosted the ASEAN Workshop on Regional Actions on Fair and Ethical Recruitment Practices.

In a news release, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac underscored the need for ASEAN member states to deepen cooperation and ensure that migrant workers are recruited and employed under fair, safe, and dignified conditions.

“At the core of fair and ethical recruitment lies the belief in the inherent dignity and rights of every individual. Let’s continue to ensure that recruitment processes are transparent, free from corruption and devoid of coercion,” Cacdac told delegates in his speech during the event.

A key highlight of the event was the regional rollout of the Checklist on Fair Recruitment and Decent Employment Practices, a tool jointly developed by the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam to guide ASEAN countries in aligning labor migration policies with international standards.

Aside from the delegates from all ASEAN states, representatives from the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), recruitment agencies, labor unions, and employers also attended the event to also give their assessment on current practices, share experiences, and chart a collaborative path forward.

Meanwhile, Cacdac said protecting migrant workers goes beyond recruitment and called for institutional support systems that guarantee access to legal services, healthcare, social security, and emergency aid, especially in cases of abuse or crisis.

“Access to legal services, healthcare and social security are crucial in ensuring better protection of the rights and welfare of migrant workers,” he said.

“Crisis support systems must be in place in the event of unfortunate situations to provide immediate assistance and support to the affected migrant workers.”

The DMW said workshop outcomes will feed into preparations for the Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN Summit in 2026, with an expected focus on labor mobility and migrant protections on the regional agenda.

The workshop is part of the week-long activities prepared by the DMW for the Philippines’ commitment to the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers running from June 23 to 27, and organized in partnership with the ILO, IOM.

It is supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the European Union, the Kingdom of Sweden, and the ASEAN Secretariat. (PNA)