APEC ministers pass labor market information system<\/p>\n
MANILA (AFP): Ministers of the member economies of the Asia
\nPacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum yesterday endorsed the
\ncreation of a labor market information (LMI) computer network
\namong themselves at a conference here.<\/p>\n
The joint ministerial statement, obtained by the press, also
\ncalled on members to facilitate "the mobility of qualified
\npersons through sharing of LMI on skills, wages and working
\nconditions."<\/p>\n
The statement said "focal institutions" in each country should
\nbe identified to distribute LMI and that such information should
\nbe shared between member economies and disseminated through the
\nInternet and other international data sharing systems.<\/p>\n
However the statement did not deal directly with the growing
\nmovement of workers from labor surplus nations like the
\nPhilippines and Indonesia to countries with labor shortages like
\nJapan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia.<\/p>\n
All these countries, along with Australia, Brunei, Canada,
\nChile, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
\nSingapore, Thailand and the United States, are member economies
\nof APEC.<\/p>\n
The Philippines, which is hosting the annual APEC summit in
\nNovember, and which initiated this APEC ministerial meet on human
\nresources, had warned of the growing problems of overseas
\nworkers.<\/p>\n
Problems<\/p>\n
Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon, in remarks to the
\nministers yesterday cited the problems faced by these workers,
\nsome of whom have become victims of abuse due to lack of legal
\nprotection and cultural sensitivity.<\/p>\n
The problem is particularly acute in the Philippines which has
\nabout four million men and women working overseas and which is
\nseeking access to more foreign labor markets.<\/p>\n
Philippine Labor Undersecretary Bienvenido Laguesma, a
\ndelegate at the conference, said that the treatment of overseas
\nworkers was not specifically discussed.<\/p>\n
But he said that "the mere fact that the mobility of qualified
\npersons has been considered would indicate that there is
\nrecognition" of the issue.<\/p>\n
In a statement, Philippine President Fidel Ramos said he
\nexpected a consensus to be reached on such issues as regional
\nlabor market trends, mutual accreditation of educational
\nstandards and skills and on vocational and technical training.<\/p>\n
About 200 leftist protesters staged a brief rally near the
\nhotel where the conference is being held until Friday, condemning
\nAPEC which they charged would open the Philippine economy to
\nexploitation.<\/p>\n
Police prevented them from approaching the hotel and they
\nlater dispersed without incident.<\/p>",
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