Enhancing the Protection and Promotion of Migrant Workers` Rights in ASEAN

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As in many regions of the world, there is an urgent need in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to address critical gaps in the management of migration, especially the protection and promotion of migrant workers` rights. Intra-ASEAN migration has been phenomenal, yet it has taken place without a regional regulatory or institutional framework. Consequently, the growth of migration has been accompanied by challenges, including irregular migration, recruitment abuses, and exploitation of migrants who are often without access to legal protection. This Policy Brief provides the reasons on why ASEAN states need stronger cooperation in protecting migrant workers` rights and suggests the role of ASEAN.