Trade, Labour and FPRW in Southeast Asia

Set to launch in March 2024, the 'Trade, Labour and FPRW in Southeast Asia' project is a transformative five-year initiative funded by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO). With a budget of CAD 7 million, this project is designed to enhance the integration and compliance of ILO fundamental conventions in the Southeast Asian trade sectors, particularly those involved in free trade agreements. The project aims to strengthen the promotion and enforcement of labour compliance with international labour standards, including Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (FPRW), especially in export sectors. Furthermore, the project closely supports and collaborates with other ESDC-funded country projects in Southeast Asia, ensuring a coherent and synergistic effort across regional initiatives and aligning with the Country's Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCP). This strategic approach involves close collaboration with ASEAN Secretariat and other ESDC-funded projects, fostering a unified effort throughout the sub-region and contributing to ongoing initiatives/roadmaps/actions in the ASEAN region and ASEAN Member States. Aligning with Canada's Indo-Pacific strategy, the project improves the enforcement of labour provisions, in current and future free trade agreements between Southeast Asia and Canada. Key areas include fostering Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining (FOA/CB), irrespective of a convention's ratification status. The project also places a strong emphasis on gender equality and inclusion. The initiative engages a diverse range of Southeast Asian stakeholders, ranging from the ASEAN Secretariat and ILO constituents—including labour officials, workers and employers' organizations, the judiciary, and policymakers focused on labour rights and trade promotion—to potentially Canadian workers' organizations. The efforts include providing technical assistance, capacity building, raising awareness, conducting evidence-based studies, and facilitating inclusive social dialogue mechanisms where possible in the sub-region that are members of CPTPP or are engaged in potential Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Amidst Southeast Asia's economic growth and expanding trade agreements, this project focuses on addressing critical labour rights issues, such as insufficient union freedoms, forced labour, child labour, and labour rights exploitation. With its comprehensive scope and proactive strategy, the 'Trade, Labour and FPRW in Southeast Asia' project stands as a pivotal step towards advancing labour rights in trade sectors and fostering equitable economic development in the sub-region.

Project symbol

RAS/23/10/CAN

Admin unit

RO-Asia and the Pacific

Start date

18/03/2024

End date

17/03/2029

Total allocation

3853373

Total expenditure

Status

Active

907431

Development Partners

Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada

Country/Countries

South Eastern Asia and the Pacific

Outcomes

Outcome 1: Strong, modernized normative action for social justice