Young Asian women and men work together in a start up office

Asia and the Pacific

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Asia and the Pacific is one of the most diverse regions of the world. The population of more than four billion people includes some of the wealthiest countries on earth as well as two-thirds of the world’s poor.

In recent years the region has faced challenges that have seriously tested its social-economic infrastructure, not least the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the tectonic shifts in the world of work brought about by drivers such as digitization, migration and climate change generate new challenges.

The ILO works with its members in the region to deal with these and other issues. Institution building, policy support and local economic development play a critical role in social and economic progress. Respect for fundamental principles and rights at work helps to ensure that all sections of society benefit.

Significant challenges remain, including increasing productive and decent employment opportunities, providing adequate social protection, and responding to crises such as the COVID pandemic. Other key issues include human trafficking, forced labour and child labour, the informal economy, migration, poverty alleviation, safety and health in the workplace, equality and inclusion as well as skills, employability and youth employment.

Statement agreed by the meeting participants of the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the...
Participants in the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue held in Suva, Fiji

Statement agreed by the meeting participants of the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the...

Latest news and stories

Indonesia Business Forum 2024 promotes collaborative efforts for Indonesia’s garment industry
A group photo of Indonesia Business Forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indonesia Business Forum 2024 promotes collaborative efforts for Indonesia’s garment industry

Language training for better access and inclusion for migrant workers in Thailand
Thai language training for Myanmar migrant workers in Song Khla, Thailand, October 2024

Labour migration

Language training for better access and inclusion for migrant workers in Thailand

Events

Care Work and Labour Migration in ASEAN

Labour migration

Care Work and Labour Migration in ASEAN

Publications

Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations (Phase II)

Factsheet

Building Responsible Value Chains in Asia through the Promotion of Decent Work in Business Operations (Phase II)

EU-India initiatives in skilling and mobility for the ICT sector: Background paper

EU-India initiatives in skilling and mobility for the ICT sector: Background paper

Projects and programmes

Preparing Timor-Leste's workers and policy makers for just transition and the formal economy

RBSA Project

Preparing Timor-Leste's workers and policy makers for just transition and the formal economy

Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention in Sri Lanka

Social Dialogue for Peace and Crisis Prevention in Sri Lanka

Image
Group with hands together symbolizing collaboration, teamwork, partnership and goals
Development Cooperation Dashboard

Development Cooperation Dashboard

The dashboard offers interactive visualizations of ILO development cooperation projects across Asia and the Pacific

Asia-Pacific labour market insights

Did you know that, at 44 hours per week, workers in Asia-Pacific work the longest hours globally?
Elderly worker sells fruits.

Did you know that, at 44 hours per week, workers in Asia-Pacific work the longest hours globally?

Learn more from the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The Regional Office in Bangkok supports work in 36 member countries, from Afghanistan to the Pacific Islands and from Mongolia to New Zealand. Two teams of decent work specialists, based in Bangkok and New Delhi, provide a range of technical services and expertise that support work throughout the region and provide assistance to the ILO’s constituents - governments, workers' and employers’ organizations. In addition, there are country, liaison or project offices in 22 countries in the region.

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Contact

ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200
Thailand

Tel: +662 288 1234
Fax: +662 280 1735
Email: BANGKOK@ilo.org

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