ITUC-Asia Pacific took a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of migrant workers at the Second Asia-Pacific Regional Review of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) held in Bangkok from 3-6 February 2025. Organised by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), the event provided a platform to push for inclusive, rights-based migration governance through meaningful social dialogue among stakeholders, including governments, trade unions, and employers.
During the plenary and side events, Shakil Choudhury (ITUC-Bangladesh Council), Dom Tuvera (ASEAN Trade Union Council), Ryu Mikyung (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions), Ajay Rai (Nepal Trade Union Congress), Dur e Shawar (Pakistan United Workers Federation), Sonia George (Self-Employed Women’s Association, India), Dr. Rama Chandra Khuntia (Indian National Trade Union Congress, India), and Julius Cainglet (Federation of Free Workers, Philippines) delivered powerful interventions, underscoring key trade union priorities, including the inclusion of women and informal workers in migration governance, ensuring fair recruitment, and addressing challenges unique to subregional contexts like South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific.
Dr. S. M. Fahimuddin Pasha, ITUC-Asia Pacific Director for Workers’ Rights, emphasised that structured and inclusive social dialogue is essential for addressing exploitation and insecurity faced by migrant workers. He highlighted how trade unions continue to be at the forefront of ensuring decent work for all, advocating for fair recruitment, social protection, and access to justice.
The event focused on advancing GCM objectives, related to voluntary, safe, and orderly migration, protecting migrant workers through rights-based border governance, and fostering their integration and contribution to development. The discussions exposed critical gaps, such as the lack of representation of migrant workers in social dialogue mechanisms, and emphasised the need to empower migrant workers.
Trade unions highlighted the need for immediate action on the following: engaging National Migration Networks to advocate for recommendations and demands; influencing Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) to reflect workers’ rights and social justice; and empowering grassroots unions to amplify and implement worker-centred recommendations across all levels.
The contributions of ITUC-Asia Pacific affiliates and other global unions including International Domestic Workers’ Federation, Building and Wood Workers International, and Public Services International pushed for a unified approach to addressing migration governance challenges.
Beyond the GCM, the ITUC-Asia Pacific will continue pushing for a New Social Contract that prioritises decent work, fair recruitment, fare wages, social protection, non- discrimination, and inclusion for migrant workers. Trade unions will sustain its collective efforts to influence migration policies at the national, regional, and global levels, ensuring that workers' voices remain central to decision-making processes.
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