Abstract
The idea for the study took root in a joint ILO-ASEAN mission in May 2003 which identified this as one of several areas of work for cooperation between the two organizations. The initiative looked towards awareness-raising and sharing of lessons learnt among ASEAN member states, taking into account the views of employers' and workers' organizations as well as various ministries within government. The immediate objective of this joint effort was identified as (a) enhance understanding of the labour and employment implications of AFTA and other trade liberalization in the context of globalization, and increase awareness of these implications among tripartite constituents and other key stakeholders in ASEAN countries; and (b) identify policy options for integrated economic, labour and social policies to address the labour and employment implications, as a basis for recommendations for consideration by ILO-ASEAN member states.
