Young Asian women and men work together in a start up office
© Shutterstock

Asia and the Pacific is one of the most diverse regions of the world. The population of more than four billion people includes some of the wealthiest countries on earth as well as two-thirds of the world’s poor.

In recent years the region has faced challenges that have seriously tested its social-economic infrastructure, not least the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the tectonic shifts in the world of work brought about by drivers such as digitization, migration and climate change generate new challenges.

The ILO works with its members in the region to deal with these and other issues. Institution building, policy support and local economic development play a critical role in social and economic progress. Respect for fundamental principles and rights at work helps to ensure that all sections of society benefit.

Significant challenges remain, including increasing productive and decent employment opportunities, providing adequate social protection, and responding to crises such as the COVID pandemic. Other key issues include human trafficking, forced labour and child labour, the informal economy, migration, poverty alleviation, safety and health in the workplace, equality and inclusion as well as skills, employability and youth employment.

Statement agreed by the meeting participants of the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Suva, Fiji
Participants in the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue held in Suva, Fiji

Statement agreed by the meeting participants of the Pacific Tripartite High-Level Dialogue on Decent Work and the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, Suva, Fiji

Latest news and stories

ILO and Singapore agree continuation of efforts to support decent work across ASEAN region
Placeholder image

Press release

ILO and Singapore agree continuation of efforts to support decent work across ASEAN region

Let's act on our commitments and eliminate child labour
Bangladeshi students admire their new textbooks provided by the Government

Statement

Let's act on our commitments and eliminate child labour

Events

Workshop: Social and Solidarity Economy for Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia

Workshop: Social and Solidarity Economy for Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Asia

Future Leaders in the World of Work Summer University, 29 July – 9 August 2024
Future Leaders in the World of Work Summer University course

Future Leaders in the World of Work Summer University, 29 July – 9 August 2024

Publications

The Republic of Korea: Extending social insurance to digital platform workers

Social insurance

The Republic of Korea: Extending social insurance to digital platform workers

Measuring Sustainable Development Goal indicator 10.7.1 on the recruitment costs of migrant workers: Results of the 2019 Philippine Survey on Overseas Filipinos

Full report

Measuring Sustainable Development Goal indicator 10.7.1 on the recruitment costs of migrant workers: Results of the 2019 Philippine Survey on Overseas Filipinos

Projects and programmes

Survey for Co-creating a Joint Work Plan for Improving Access to Remedy of Migrant Workers from South-East Asia to Japan

Labour migration

Survey for Co-creating a Joint Work Plan for Improving Access to Remedy of Migrant Workers from South-East Asia to Japan

Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills and promote safe and regular migration (UPLIFT)

Supporting migrant returnees and communities in vulnerable situations to uplift their livelihoods, enhance their skills and promote safe and regular migration (UPLIFT)

Image
Group with hands together symbolizing collaboration, teamwork, partnership and goals
Development Cooperation Dashboard

Development Cooperation Dashboard

The dashboard offers interactive visualizations of ILO development cooperation projects across Asia and the Pacific

Asia-Pacific labour market insights
Elderly worker sells fruits.

Asia-Pacific labour market insights

Learn more from the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

The Regional Office in Bangkok supports work in 36 member countries, from Afghanistan to the Pacific Islands and from Mongolia to New Zealand. Two teams of decent work specialists, based in Bangkok and New Delhi, provide a range of technical services and expertise that support work throughout the region and provide assistance to the ILO’s constituents - governments, workers' and employers’ organizations. In addition, there are country, liaison or project offices in 22 countries in the region.

Work with us

Contact

ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
United Nations Building, Rajdamnern Nok Avenue
Bangkok 10200
Thailand

Tel: +662 288 1234
Fax: +662 280 1735
Email: BANGKOK@ilo.org

Staff list

Subscribe to our newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up to receive ILO News updates from Asia and the Pacific straight to your email box.