10th ADBI-OECD-ILO Roundtable on Labor Migration in Asia 2020 | Asian Development Bank Institute - ADBI | 5 February 2020 | TBA, Bangkok, Thailand

Global migration has grown steadily over the last 30 years. While much policy attention has focused on large-scale movements of people fleeing conflict or social disruption, in Asia, the biggest driver of migration flows is the search for better job opportunities and incomes. Labor migration flows are also being driven by structural changes in the region’s demography and demand for, and supply of, skills. Population aging is a particular challenge for some Asian economies and requires preparation for labor shortages. Yet, not all countries in the region are well equipped with policies and infrastructures to effectively govern international migration.

Many international initiatives have sought to promote effective governance and management of labor migration, among them the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration, and the Manila Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers adopted by ASEAN. Priorities include assessing occupational needs and skill sets, securing appropriate workers from other countries, ensuring the fair treatment of migrating workers, and addressing changing international migration governance demands.

Complementing these international efforts, ADBI, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and International Labour Organization will co-host their 10th Roundtable on Labor Migration in Asia. The roundtable will consist of a high-level panel session and policy dialogue in Bangkok examining forward-looking approaches to labor migration. The focus will be on the labor migration outlook and policy needs in the coming decade, taking into account the impacts of rapid technological and demographic changes on the future of work.

2020 Sponsors

• Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)