APEC ministers pass labor market information system
APEC ministers pass labor market information system
MANILA (AFP): Ministers of the member economies of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum yesterday endorsed the creation of a labor market information (LMI) computer network among themselves at a conference here.
The joint ministerial statement, obtained by the press, also called on members to facilitate "the mobility of qualified persons through sharing of LMI on skills, wages and working conditions."
The statement said "focal institutions" in each country should be identified to distribute LMI and that such information should be shared between member economies and disseminated through the Internet and other international data sharing systems.
However the statement did not deal directly with the growing movement of workers from labor surplus nations like the Philippines and Indonesia to countries with labor shortages like Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Malaysia.
All these countries, along with Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Thailand and the United States, are member economies of APEC.
The Philippines, which is hosting the annual APEC summit in November, and which initiated this APEC ministerial meet on human resources, had warned of the growing problems of overseas workers.
Problems
Philippine Foreign Secretary Domingo Siazon, in remarks to the ministers yesterday cited the problems faced by these workers, some of whom have become victims of abuse due to lack of legal protection and cultural sensitivity.
The problem is particularly acute in the Philippines which has about four million men and women working overseas and which is seeking access to more foreign labor markets.
Philippine Labor Undersecretary Bienvenido Laguesma, a delegate at the conference, said that the treatment of overseas workers was not specifically discussed.
But he said that "the mere fact that the mobility of qualified persons has been considered would indicate that there is recognition" of the issue.
In a statement, Philippine President Fidel Ramos said he expected a consensus to be reached on such issues as regional labor market trends, mutual accreditation of educational standards and skills and on vocational and technical training.
About 200 leftist protesters staged a brief rally near the hotel where the conference is being held until Friday, condemning APEC which they charged would open the Philippine economy to exploitation.
Police prevented them from approaching the hotel and they later dispersed without incident.