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While the ASEAN is preparing itself for the ASEAN economic integration in 2015, ASETUC earnestly anticipates in making sure that social dimension will be integrated in the new Economic Community of ASEAN. In a region where stages of economic development and political culture are varied, ASETUC upholds social dialogue as an essential tool to initiate discussion with the ASEAN and its Member States, both in the national and regional levels.

ASETUC is calling for ASEAN to stand in a common ground and recognize that trade should be first and foremost function as a tool for raising living standards and creating decent job opportunities because to achieve a sustainable regional integration, workers should have decent work and improvements of their living standard.

Sharing the same spirit, in a courtesy meeting conducted on 21st January 2014 at the ASEAN Secretariat, Secretary-General of the ASEAN, H.E Le Luong Minh acknowledged the important role of trade unions and workers for the establishment of a “people-centered” ASEAN Community. In this meaningful opportunity, SG Minh also stated that he highly valued the spirit of social dialogue in the ASEAN and welcomed future cooperation with ASETUC and encouraged both organizations to strengthen the ties between them.

In this meeting, ASETUC delegation was consisted of Brother Mohamed Shafie, the General Secretary of ASETUC as the head of delegation; Brother Christopher Ng; Sister Sulistiawati, an affiliate of PSI APRO; Brother Kun Wardana, ASETUC Indonesia desk; and Sister Marina, ASETUC Project Coordinator

ASETUC is committed to a social justice platform and will continue to initiate discussions with Government, Employers and other stakeholders to put forward a more humane form of globalization, in particular the ASEAN regional economic integration.