The 17th Asia and the Pacific Regional Meeting of the International Labour Organization (APRM of ILO) concluded with the adoption of the “Singapore Declaration”.
What is the Singapore Declaration?
- The Singapore Declaration aims to ensure social dialogue to address challenges associated with labour market and finding solutions for crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, and economic uncertainty.
- It provides a shared vision of 10-point priorities of national action of members of the ILO to deal with issues like dwindling wages, inflation and unemployment.
- It recognized that social dialogue is vital for gaining trust and resilience in the labour market institution, sustainable recovery, and inclusive global progress.
- Strong and representative organizations of labours and employers are critical for building sustainable and inclusive societies and fundamental for achieving social justice and decent job opportunities.
- Capacity must be strengthened for employers, labour organizations and governments in countries where there is insufficient capacity, mechanism or freedom to contribute in the policy development and discussion.
- The governments must ensure that labour interests are protected through the promotion of freedom of association and the recognition of the right to collective bargaining throughout the regions, including for marginalized workers and informal workforce.
- The gender gaps must be addressed across the world by increasing the participation of women in the job market, promoting equal pay for equal value, balancing work and responsibilities, and promoting women’s leadership.
- Collective actions must be taken to promote a smooth and sustained transition from the informal to formal economy. These efforts must be along the lines of Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy Recommendation, 2015.
- The rights of migrant workers must be protected by strengthening governance frameworks and respecting the freedom of association. Efforts must be taken to improve their accommodation, protect their wages, and extend social security, and where appropriate, through enhanced bilateral labour migration agreement between the sending and receiving countries.
- Governments must facilitate the smooth transition to peace, security and decent work during times of crises.
- Just transitions must be ensured to build environmentally sustainable economies and societies, through meaningful and effective social dialogue.