The Asian and Pacific economies are interconnected to each other and increasingly interlinked with the global economy, throughout global value chains, financialisation, international trade expansion, and technological changes. However, the process of globalisation seriously neglects the labour, social and environmental dimensions of its impacts. Globalisation has failed to ensure a just social and economic development in Asia and the Pacific as fundamental workers’ rights and, consequently, constructive industrial relations, including social dialogue, are undermined. Therefore, the ITUC-Asia Pacific, together with its affiliates, promotes a fair, inclusive, rules-based, and democratic economic integration that advances a sustainable and resilient growth and benefits all people. 

We promote social dialogue at all levels — in the process of international trade negotiations as well as in the regional/inter-regional/sub-regional economic integration. In these processes, we advance positions that are not only benefitting the workers, but are also in line with international commitments, including the 2030 Development Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the International Labour Organization’s standards. 

Furthermore, the ITUC-Asia Pacific, together with the International Trade Union Confederation, engages with international, regional and inter-regional economic bodies and fora, such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), G20, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), among others, to put forth workers’ demands. Ensuring that workers’ positions are tackled even in international financial institutions, the ITUC-Asia Pacific also continues its dialogue with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB).