Free movement of labour in ASEAN: Advantages, disadvantages and recommendations

Abstract

The ASEAN approach on free movement of labour in ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is typical, which aims at managed mobility and facilition for a more comfortable movement of labour. Currently, after the establishment of AEC, the ASEAN Member States still continue to implement the measures regulated in the ASEAN documents in order to promote deeper labour integration. This paper analyses the ASEAN approach on free movement of labour; evaluates the advantages and limitations of the such approach, thereby recommends “upgrading” the legal effect of the existing documents governing free movement of labour, improving related enforcement mechanism and compliance monitoring and accelerating the conclusion of mutual recognition arrangements on labour qualifications and skills to foster the regionally free movement of labour in the next period of AEC.