PH committed to work with ASEAN, Canada in protecting migrant workers—Marcos

The Philippines has committed to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada in protecting migrant workers and promoting their rights through various initiatives.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. made the commitment on Saturday, Nov. 12, during his participation at the ASEAN summits in Cambodia.

Marcos highlighted Canada's support for the TRIANGLE in ASEAN project, which promotes fair migration across the region. Canada now hosts over 900,000 Filipinos, forming an essential part of Canadian society.

TRIANGLE in ASEAN delivers technical assistance with the overall goal of "maximizing the contribution of labor migration to an equitable, inclusive and stable growth in ASEAN. It is supported by the Canadian Government through Global Affairs Canada and the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“The project has promoted labor mobility across the region along with the improvement of working conditions and labor protection policies, particularly for low-paid migrant workers,” Marcos said in his intervention during the ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit.

The Philippines, Marcos said, welcomes Canada’s continued support for ASEAN initiatives for the welfare of women such as the implementation of the ASEAN Regional Plan of Action on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).

The President said the initiatives aim to support the upskilling of women and empowering women entrepreneurship, particularly of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN, adding that women stand to benefit from Canada’s support for ASEAN’s digital transformation efforts that are inclusive and enable women to participate in the region’s development.

He then took the opportunity to express gratitude for the kindness of Canadian people.

“Canada is considered home by over 900,000 fellow Filipinos, and may I say that I have experience of the stories that these people tell me and it is that they have been assimilated into society and into the workforce so smoothly,” Marcos said.

“And this is completely due to the warmth and the kindness of Canadian people. For that, we thank you very much,” he added.