Asean labour officials discuss draft of Vientiane Declaration

The draft of the Vientiane Declaration on Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Decent Work Promotion in Asean was the key topic of discussion at the 12th Asean Senior Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) held yesterday in Vientiane. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and attended by senior labour officials from Asean member states and representatives of the Asean Secretariat. Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Dr Khampheng Saysompheng delivered the opening remarks. This is the third time Laos has had the great honour to host the SLOM - the first time was in 2002 and the second in 2011, Dr Khampheng said. He added that this 12th SLOM is a continuation of the 11th SLOM held in the Philippines last year. The 12th SLOM is discussing labour related issues in relation to social and economic matters through documents on implementing the Asean Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint and other related sectors such as the regional framework and action plan to implement the Asean Declaration on Enhancing Social Protection, and the Asean Convention Against Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children. Also discussed will be the Asean Qualifications Reference Framework, Asean Labour Ministers Work Programme 2016-2020; Work Plan of the Asean Committee on the Implementation of the Asean Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers 2016-2020; Plan of Actions on Asean-Occupational Safety and Health Network of Actions 2016-2020; and the Work Plan of the SLOM Working Group on Progressive Labour Practices to Enhance the Competitiveness of Asean 2016-2020. Most of all, an important priority of this meeting is to consider the draft of the Vientiane Declaration on Transition from Informal Employment to Formal Employment towards Decent Work Promotion in Asean. The outcome of the talks will be reported to the 24th Asean Labour Ministers Meeting, which is the next step. Dr Khamphaeng highlighted some key points of the meeting, citing the need for effective employment services in Asean and ensuring that the services respond to the real needs of Asean member states. Officials are also considering documents related to strengthening the integration of skills development, skills testin g, and moving on to skills recognition among Asean member states, and considering cooperation mechanisms with Asean dialogue partners and international organisations to further attract their cooperation and assistance for the development of the labour sector. By Times Reporters (Latest Update May 12, 2016)