Philippines committed to work with ASEAN, Canada for migrant workers' rights, women's welfare

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday said the Philippines is committed to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada in promoting the rights of migrant workers and the welfare of women.

Marcos made the comment in his intervention during the ASEAN-Canada Commemorative Summit held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

The President highlighted the support of Canada for the Triangle in ASEAN project which promotes fair migration in the region.

“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.

Marcos also thanked the people of Canada for extending kindness to the over 900,000 Filipinos staying in their country.

“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,” he said.

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

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

These initiatives are meant to support the upskilling of women and empowering women entrepreneurship, especially of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in ASEAN, Marcos said.

He also said women stand to gain from the support of Canada for the digital transformation efforts of Canada that are inclusive and allow women to participate in the development of the region. —KG, GMA Integrated News