Strengthened collaboration needed to tackle labour market challenges in the digital age

The regional policy dialogue fostered a fruitful exchange of knowledge and good practices, thereby empowering policymakers and representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations, based on the principles of South-South Cooperation.

Bangkok, Thailand – Digital technologies have significantly transformed the labour landscape in South-East Asia. With the region’s digital economy expected to reach nearly US$1 trillion by 2030, continued dialogue on digital governance, inclusive employment policies and labour market programmes is more crucial than ever to ensure the digital revolution benefits all members of society.

Held in Bangkok, Thailand, on 25 – 26 September 2024, the regional policy dialogue saw policymakers and representatives from workers’ and employers’ organizations from China and South-East Asia discuss challenges of the growing digital economy and innovative strategies that countries are implementing to address these issues.

“The digital revolution has created both immense opportunities and complicated challenges in the world of work. While technology can boost productivity and innovation, job displacement concerns are growing, and digital skills gaps are emerging. Given these complex challenges, stronger collaboration, knowledge sharing, and dialogue are critical to address our common challenges,” said Oktavianto Pasaribu, Deputy Director, ILO Decent Work Technical Support Team for East and South-East Asia and the Pacific and Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

This event is organized as part of a series of regional dialogues under the framework of the ILO “Promoting the Global Development Initiative with a Focus on South-South Cooperation in Employment in ASEAN (ProSSCE-ASEAN)” project to foster collaboration, peer learning, and knowledge exchange in implementing inclusive employment policies and labour market programmes in South-East Asia.

By embracing the South-South and Triangular Cooperation approach, countries in South-East Asia and China are enhancing the transfer of knowledge, experiences and expertise in promoting quality jobs, public employment services, and entrepreneurship development. 

With support from the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of the People’s Republic of China, the ILO ProSSCE-ASEAN project has empowered more than 46,000 beneficiaries across the region since 2023.  
 
The project advances decent work and collaborates with partners to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to China’s Global Development Initiative and the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for Just Transitions. Some of the project’s target countries—Cambodia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam—are also Global Accelerator pathfinder countries committed to increasing investments in jobs and social protection.

This story was written by Tarinee Youkhaw, Advocacy & Knowledge Management Officer, at the ILO ProSSCE-ASEAN project.