National Workshop in Preparation for the 18th ASEAN Migrant Labour Forum

Mr. Felix Weidenkaff, representative of the International Labor Organization Office in Vietnam, speaking. Photo: VNA

The workshop was attended online by representatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific , and in person by representatives of relevant ministries, sectors, and agencies of Vietnam, United Nations agencies, international organizations in Vietnam, and a number of businesses sending workers to work abroad, as well as domestic researchers.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Cao Huy said: Vietnam is a country with an abundant labor force and is considered to be hard-working and diligent. According to statistics in 2024, Vietnam's labor force aged 15 and over reached 53 million people, including nearly 24.7 million female workers and currently more than half a million Vietnamese workers working abroad under contracts. Vietnamese workers are currently working in 43 countries and territories around the world, many of which have good income levels and working conditions...

ILO Representative in Vietnam, Mr. Felix WeidenKaff said: The 18th ASEAN Migrant Labour Forum will be hosted by the ASEAN Chair, the Government of Malaysia, in Kuala Lumpur on September 9 and 10, 2025. The theme chosen by the host country for this year's discussion is: Accelerating action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on safe migration and decent work for migrant workers in ASEAN.

The ILO appreciates Viet Nam’s commitment to the AFML process and its readiness to bring together tripartite stakeholders (Government, workers, employers), as well as private recruitment agencies, civil society organizations and other key stakeholders to discuss topical issues related to labour migration on the platform of the ASEAN Migrant Labour Forum.

At the workshop, delegates shared about the national activities that have been implemented to implement the recommendations of the 17th ASEAN Migrant Labour Forum - 2024. In preparation for the 18th forum, delegates focused on discussing two contents: Safe working environment and protection from forced labour; reducing recruitment costs and remittances.

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/xa-hoi/202508/hoi-thao-quoc-gia-chuan-bi-cho-dien-dan-lao-dong-di-cu-asean-lan-thu-18-3812085/