• 24 March 2025

SEANF Statement on the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of theRights of Migrant Workers

SEANF Statement on the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers

As a collective voice of Southeast Asia’s National Human Rights Institutions, SEANF applauds the adoption of the ASEAN Consensus on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers at the 31st ASEAN Summit (November 2017). This marks a pivotal step in realizing the vision of the 2007 ASEAN Declaration after a decade of advocacy.

Key Aspects of the Consensus:
✅ Limited but Significant Scope

  • Covers intra-ASEAN migrant workers
  • Protects accompanying family members
  • Includes workers rendered undocumented through no fault of their own

✅ Foundation for Progress

  • Implements human rights standards from:
    • International labor conventions
    • UN migration protocols
    • Regional commitments

SEANF’s Stance:
While recognizing the Consensus’ limitations, we:
🔹 Celebrate this hard-won achievement by states and civil society
🔹 Urge expansion to all migrant workers regardless of origin or status
🔹 Commit to monitoring implementation through our NHRIs:

  • Indonesia (Komnas HAM)
  • Malaysia (SUHAKAM)
  • Myanmar (MNHRC)
  • Philippines (CHRP)
  • Thailand (NHRCT)
  • Timor-Leste (PDHJ)
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