The world is diverse, and the Asia-Pacific region is a prime example of this. This region embodies significant diversity in political regimes, economic systems, levels of development, social structures, religion, race, and culture. From the perspective of labour governance, the region also exhibits a wide variation in unionisation rates, the structure of trade unions (whether fragmented or unified), and legal or institutional restrictions on trade unions. As such, it is impossible to discuss the trade union movement or industrial relations in the Asia-Pacific region in a single, unified manner.
Despite the diversity within the Asia-Pacific and globally, decent work has emerged as a shared value in the quest to build a better society. First introduced by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 1999, “decent work” is defined as “productive work for women and men in conditions of freedom, equity, security, and human dignity.” It later became central to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is frequently highlighted in forums discussing economic growth and the improvement of people's welfare.
However, we must not forget that the growing global attention to decent work underscores the serious deficits in achieving it.
Consider children forced to work in shipbreaking yards, migrant domestic workers subjected to harassment, or gig workers completely controlled by platforms yet denied the protections they deserve as workers. While multinational corporations have woven global supply chains worldwide, government efforts to ensure decent work throughout these chains are lagging behind, unable to keep pace with corporations that prioritise minimising labour costs and maximising profits.
Moreover, many governments, in what appears to be a reversal of worker protections, are trying to further liberalise labour markets to attract investment, stripping workers of the rights they have long enjoyed. The goal of "decent work for all" remains far from reality.
All policies – including macroeconomic, growth, financial, industrial, tax, fiscal, social protection, and labour market – should aim to foster a real economy grounded in decent work.
As the world of work evolves, new skills will be needed. Active labour market policies, such as vocational training and lifelong learning, should be enhanced alongside gender-equitable policies that promote work-life balance and a strong care economy. An inclusive and safe work environment is crucial to ensure participation from marginalised groups such as older persons, people with disabilities, and others facing discrimination.
Governments must increase investments in care, health, education, and public services, as these sectors are critical for creating stable, community-based jobs and fostering resilience. In economic crises, well-planned public spending is vital to stimulate domestic consumption and employment.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the vulnerability of informal workers, making the transition to formal employment more urgent than ever. Informal workers lack social protections and collective bargaining rights, leaving them in precarious conditions. Governments must facilitate their transition into formal employment.
Addressing the climate emergency requires creating climate-friendly jobs through a Just Transition, which can drive sustainable development, poverty reduction, and social inclusion. This approach will ensure coherence in policies that leave no one behind.
In order to change the rules to benefit the vast majority of people, including all workers and their families, and to uphold social justice for all, trade unions must be at the centre of rebuilding a countervailing force to gain stronger bargaining power in the negotiation for a new social contract.
Trade unions are uniquely positioned to lead the charge for a world of work that is decent and free from exploitation, where the needs of the many are prioritised over the pursuit of profit. Through the collective strength of workers, they can directly challenge corporate and political power, pushing for a new social contract that creates decent work, guarantees workers' rights, and drives social justice. To dismantle entrenched systems that cater to the few and build a society that genuinely serves the working class, trade unions must stand at the forefront of bold, transformative change.
But how? To build stronger workers’ power, trade unions must first organise more workers into unions, particularly groups that have traditionally been difficult to organise, such as women, youth, migrants, and workers in the informal economy. By joining and organising unions, workers can be agents of change and collectively become the leading force that advances a new social contract grounded on jobs, rights, wages, social protection, equality, and inclusion.
At the 5th ITUC-AP Regional Conference in November last year, trade unions in the region committed to moving beyond traditional trade unionism and harnessing the potential to collaborate with various stakeholders in society that equally place utmost value on decent work. The threats from recent global trends are affecting not only workers but also other sectors of society. Thus, as the main advocates for social justice for all, trade unions must not only focus on the needs of their members but also broaden their collective actions to advance the interests of the wider working population, who are at the same time consumers, taxpayers, and members of marginalised sectors.
Decent work is not just a goal—it is a human right, and it is a right worth defending and fighting for. On this World Day for Decent Work, let us renew our commitment to this fight. Let us work together to build a world where every worker, no matter where they are, can live and work with dignity, respect, and fairness. A world where decent work must not be the exception, but the rule.
Shoya Yoshida
General Secretary
ITUC-Asia Pacific
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