Climate change, environmental degradation and labour mobility in the ASEAN region

While most climate-related movement occurs within borders of ASEAN Member States, cross-border movement also occurs. Adverse effects of climate change can be drivers of migration and also a risk to migrant workers in destination. Adaptation and resilience strategies should first try to ensure conditions that enable people to remain where they live. If it is voluntary, labour migration under decent work conditions and with fair recruitment can also be a component of such strategies. Key recommendations include that governments should work to ensure policy cohesion and develop connected and coordinated policy agendas for both climate change and migration.