Greater transparency in recruitment fees and stronger protection against forced labour were among the key outcomes of the 18th ASEAN Forum on Migrant Labour (AFML), which Malaysia hosted over two days this week.
The forum, themed “Accelerating Actions Towards Sustainable Development Goals on Safe Migration and Decent Work for Migrant Workers in ASEAN”, gathered officials from all ASEAN member states alongside representatives from workers’ and employers’ groups, civil society and international partners. Observers from Australia, Canada and Switzerland also attended as donor partners.
Delegates also adopted recommendations that call for ethical recruitment practices, enhanced occupational safety and health standards, wider access to social dialogue and collective bargaining, and improved financial inclusion through safer, lower-cost remittance systems.
The Human Resources Ministry, which organised the forum, said the outcomes reaffirm ASEAN’s shared commitment to protecting migrant workers and promoting fair labour practices across the region.
The AFML, now in its 18th year, continues to serve as ASEAN’s main platform for dialogue and cooperation on migrant labour. The Philippines will host the next edition in 2026.
