National Tripartite Preparatory Workshops for the 19th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour

National tripartite preparatory workshops for the 19th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML) were held in several ASEAN member states to assess stakeholders' progress in implementing the previous AFML recommendations and discuss the theme of the 19th AFML. In addition, preparatory workshops were conducted in Myanmar (with Trade Union and CSO representatives only), and by Employers' organizations and Workers' organizations.

These meetings were supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through the TRIANGLE Partnerships programme.

Below is the schedule of the preparatory workshops:

  • Cambodia, 23 September 2026
  • Lao PDR, 23 September 2026
  • Myanmar, 29 September 2026
  • Indonesia, 1 October 2026
  • The Philippines, 6 October 2026
  • Employers' organizations, 13 October 2026
  • Workers' organizations, 13 October 2026

These workshops have enabled stakeholders to prepare for the 19th AFML, on the theme “Protection of Migrant Workers through Regular and Safe Migration Pathways”

The 19th AFML will be hosted on 14–15 October 2026 by the Philippines, as Chair of the ASEAN Committee on the Implementation of the ASEAN Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers (ACMW) 2025–2026.

The theme of the 19th AFML is “Protection of Migrant Workers through Regular and Safe Migration Pathways.” The theme is divided into two sub-themes:

  1. Online Recruitment and Its Challenges
  2. Access to Protection, Remedy and Support to Migrant Workers