achievements

Sharing of good practices, data and information through regular dialogue among countries of origin of overseas contractual workers in Asia.

A comprehensive training curriculum for labour attachés and overseas employment administrators was developed and training courses were implemented in Kuwait (2004), Bangkok (2005), China (2006), Islamabad (2006), and Bangladesh (2008, 2009).

A regional workshop for employment agencies in Asia on placing workers in Europe and ethical recruitment was held in Manila (2006).

A number of policy studies have been carried out to support the efforts of member governments on the following topics:

Protection of migrant workers

Capacity building and inter-state cooperation

Regulatory framework for the recruitment of migrant workers

Minimum standard employment contracts

Pre-departure orientation programs and best practices

Welfare funds for migrant workers

Training and skill development for migrants

Flow and utilization policies on migrant workers' remittances

Feasibility study to establish an Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) in one of the labour receiving countries in the GCC has been completed. This could provide vital information and support services to labour migrants and governments.

Implementation, at the national level, of recommendations adopted at the Ministerial Consultations.