All news: Pacific + Asia

Just transition

Social dialogue drives just transition and sustainable enterprises in Timor-Leste

Employers, workers and the Government of Timor-Leste strengthen social dialogue and identifying shared priorities to advance a just transition towards a greener, more inclusive economy.

Just energy transition

Learning from the ILO: Looking at skills development through the lens of a Just Energy Transition

An ILO workshop on a just energy transition, organized with Airlangga University, has given a government skills development official a new perspective on how training can prepare people to learn, adapt and grow with change.

Business and Human Rights

Engage early: Lessons from national actions plan on business and human rights in Asia-Pacific

New ILO research highlights the strategic role of Employer and Business Membership Organizations (EBMOs) in shaping business and human rights policies through earlier and more effective engagement. A new practical guide supports EBMOs in...

Quality apprenticeship

Tonga launches its first-ever National Apprenticeship Policy with ILO support

New policy aims to strengthen pathways from education and training to employment and support the development of a skilled and resilient workforce across the Pacific nation.

ILO brings the world of work to young Scouts at Indonesia’s National Jamboree

Through games and real-life scenarios, the ILO introduced young Scouts from across Indonesia to fundamental principles and rights at work, helping them connect decent work principles with situations they may encounter in their daily lives and future...

New cooperatives strengthen livelihoods and opportunities in Timor-Leste

Two newly established cooperatives in Timor-Leste bring communities together to share skills, pool resources and build stronger pathways to markets and sustainable livelihoods.

Republic of Korea adopts Framework Act on the Social and Solidarity Economy

The new law establishes a coherent national policy framework for the social and solidarity economy, strengthening policy coordination in the Republic of Korea while offering a potential reference point for the wider region and international policy...

Provincial consultation

Lao People’s Democratic Republic moves closer to finalizing national strategy to eliminate child labour

Provincial stakeholders from the northern region review and validate the draft National Strategy for the Elimination of Child Labour 2026–2040 to ensure it reflects local realities and can be effectively implemented across the country.

Making disability employment quotas work: Lessons for Indonesia from across Asia

A new ILO study draws lessons from ASEAN and East Asia to help strengthen Indonesia’s disability employment quota system and advance more inclusive labour markets.

Voices and insights on social protection and migration in the South Asia–Gulf corridor

Ageing migrant populations require new approaches to social protection

The first paper in the ILO STREAM Programme's Voices and Insights series examines how ageing among long-term migrant workers is exposing gaps in social protection across the migration corridor linking South Asia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)...

Maternity protection

Thailand’s manufacturing sector strengthens maternity protection and safer, more inclusive workplaces in Chonburi

Employers, workers and government representatives exchange practical approaches to maternity protection, care and the prevention of violence and harassment in Chonburi, a key province in Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor.

Labour force participation

Women increasingly excluded from Afghanistan’s labour market as wider employment pressures mount

New ILO brief finds female labour force participation has fallen to just 5.1 per cent, according to the latest ILO modelled estimates, while large-scale returns of Afghans have added pressure to an already fragile labour market and the Middle East...

Labour migration

Thailand’s seafood sector strengthens supervisory skills to support decent work for migrant workers

Training initiative draws on ILO’s garment sector experience to equip frontline staff with skills needed to strengthen responsible business practices across the sector.

Social protection

Strengthening farmers’ access to social protection and sustainable livelihoods in Timor-Leste

A joint initiative in Timor-Leste strengthens farmers’ livelihoods and access to social protection while supporting better nutrition for children.

Opinion editorial

Will AI take Filipino jobs? The answer depends on what we do now

The Opinion editorial explores how the Philippines can harness artificial intelligence and the clean-energy transition to create decent work and shared prosperity through skills development, strong institutions and closer cooperation among...

Op-ed

Beyond the unemployment rate: Timor-Leste's real jobs challenge

Tendy Gunawan, ILO Rural Development TVET Officer in Timor-Leste, looks beyond Timor-Leste’s low unemployment rate to reveal the deeper challenge of limited decent and productive job opportunities. This opinion editorial was published by Tatoli,...

Sri Lanka moves to shield migrant workers from crises through enhanced social protection

National consultation calls for stronger, better-coordinated social protection systems in countries of origin and destination to protect migrant workers and their families before, during and after crises.

Tripartism

Samoa advances tripartite cooperation on decent work, equality and international labour standards

Samoa’s tripartite constituents strengthened cooperation to translate international labour standards into practical workplace protections, with a focus on violence and harassment, occupational safety and health, non-discrimination and inclusion.

Just energy transition

Entrepreneurship skills help communities in Indonesia build new livelihoods beyond coal

Through the ILO's Regional Innovation Initiative for a Just Energy Transition (IKI-JET), three trainers are helping workers and communities in Indonesia build new livelihoods through entrepreneurship.

ILO programme strengthens actuarial capacity and governance for sustainable social security in India

Specialized training equips Indian officials to apply actuarial evidence to financial governance, strategic decision-making and the long-term sustainability of social security schemes.