...ILS Discussion Paper Series 2012 ASEAN 2015: Implications of People Mobility and Services Mary Grace L. Riguer Working Paper Series 2012 For Discussion Purposes Only ASEAN 2015: IMPLICATIONS OF PEOPLE MOBILITY AND SERVICES Mary Grace L. Riguer The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not reflect the opinion of the Institute for Labor Studies and the Department of Labor and Employment. Abstract This paper examines the readiness of Philippines for worker mobility within the region of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It focuses on the implications of the impending establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015 as specifically governed by rules and regional commitments on free flow services, mutual recognition of qualifications and skills, movement of natural persons, and movement of skilled labor. 1 I. INTRODUCTION It is 2016 Filipinos can freely move for work anywhere in the nine (9) countries that comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN. Indonesians, Malaysians, Singaporeans, Bruneians, Myanmar, Cambodians, Vietnamese, Laotians can also do the same in the Philippines. Just the previous year, in 2015, the ASEAN Economic Community, as envisioned by ASEAN leaders in 2007, formally came to being, ushering in a region with a single market and production base characterized by free flow of goods, free flow of services, free flow of investment, freer flow of capital, and free flow...
Words: 8802 - Pages: 36
...Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is rapidly approaching a new milestone: the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. This community is expected to transform South East Asia into a single market for production, distribution, investment and skilled labor movement, thereby paving the way for economic development of the entire region. As a single market and production base, it shall comprise with five core elements: free flow of goods, free flow of services, free flow of investment, freer flow of capital, and free flow of skilled labor. In addition, the single market and production base also include two important components, namely, priority integration sectors, and food, agriculture and forestry. But the Philippines, ASEAN’s brightest star and fastest growing economy, is nowhere near there yet. Domestic industries almost cry in unison, “We are not ready”. But when shall we be ready? The agriculture sector, for instance, is the most obvious that even those not directly related would easily say this sector is ill-prepared for ASEAN 2015. Farmers fear they cannot compete with products from other Southeast Asian neighbors which benefit from advanced farming technology and generous government support. In contrast, the Philippines, the world’s largest rice importer to feed its over 100 million population, has no proper irrigation infrastructure and relies on imported fertilizer for rice. Outside of the market for goods, ASEAN also has an opportunity for labor...
Words: 464 - Pages: 2
...ONE IDENTITY ONE COMMUNITY ASEAN VISION 2015 (An excerpt from the ASEAN Economic Blueprint) Office of the Deputy Director General for Sectoral TVET Planning Office TESDA Complex, East Service Road, South Superhighway Taguig City, Metro Manila Tel. No. (02) 888 5652; 817 2675; 893 1966 www.tesda.gov.ph CODE: ST-PO 05-12-2012 ASEAN Vision 2015 I. ASEAN Economic Community The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) shall be the goal of regional economic integration by 2015. AEC envisages the following key characteristics: (a) a single market and production base, (b) a highly competitive economic region, (c) a region of equitable economic development, and (d) a region fully integrated into the global economy. The AEC areas of cooperation include: a. human resources development and capacity building; b. recognition of professional qualifications; c. closer consultation on macroeconomic and financial policies; d. trade financing measures; enhanced infrastructure and communications connectivity; e. development of electronic transactions through e-ASEAN; f. integrating industries across the region to promote regional sourcing; g. enhancing private sector involvement for the building of the AEC. In short, the AEC will transform ASEAN into a region with free movement of goods, services, investment, skilled labour, and freer flow of capital. II. Declaration on the ASEAN Economic Blueprint The ASEAN Leaders adopted the ASEAN Economic Blueprint at the 13th ASEAN Summit on 20 November 2007...
Words: 2988 - Pages: 12
...ASEAN ECONOMIC INTERGRATION IN 2015 AND UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE PHILIPPINES Elah Czarina C. Andal, CPA IR 204 INTRODUCTION A little over a year ago, the author attended a forum entitled “The Road to ASEAN Economic Community: Maximizing Opportunities and Facing Challenges.” The introduction in the forum’s invite included the following: “The 10 ASEAN member nations are moving towards integration, with the goal of forming an ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. Designed to boost regional resilience, the AEC will create a single market and production base characterized by the free flow of goods, services, investments, capital and skilled labor.”1 With much optimism, the author takes note of a promise of greater opportunities for Filipinos as a result of the 2015 ASEAN economic integration and eventual formation of AEC. Further with excitement, the question as to whether this integration comes with the promise of lower unemployment rate in the Philippines beginning 2015 was posted. BACKGROUND AND STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM Several studies have been made and many articles have been written regarding the ASEAN economic integration as well as the AEC. This would include those which explain what will happen in 2015 when the integration takes place, those which challenge the readiness of the Philippines for the free trade economy or the preparation for it, or those which presents its impact to the country (both on the perspective of opportunities and challenges). This paper focuses...
Words: 1800 - Pages: 8
...Asean 2015 SO soon! Indeed time flies at lightning speed and here staring at us is Asean 2015! And what’s in it for us in academe? But first, a very brief overview of Asean. We are one of ten countries wishing to band together as a single market. We expect that by end of December this year Asean will have measures mostly in place which are designed, like the European Union, to reduce trade barriers and consequently attract more investments. We expect to have free flow of goods, services, investment and skilled labor among “us” – us, meaning the ten member countries of Southeast Asia with the 617 million people (2011 estimate) inhabiting Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia. In the future, two other countries could be incoming members of Asean: Papua New Guinea (on candidate status since 1976) and Timor-Leste (on observer status since 2002). These two countries have a combined population of 7,300,000 (2011 estimate). Unlike the EU, Asean will likely not have a common currency and neither the same nor a similar governing structure. About education, four priorities in this area have been laid down by the Asean Education Ministers. These are first, promoting Asean awareness among Asean citizens, particularly the youth; second, strengthening Asean identity through education; third, building Asean human resources in the educational field; and fourth, strengthening the Asean University Network. Committees on these...
Words: 9510 - Pages: 39
...The future of tourism in ASEAN Introduction With the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe and the end of the Cold War, there was no longer a pressing need for ASEAN countries to fear their Communist neighbours such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. These countries had started to abandon central planning and implement market-oriented economic reforms from the early 80s, changes which had significant implications for trade and investment opportunities and indicated the need for enlargement of the ASEAN regional grouping in order to maintain its relevance (Wong, Mistilis & Dwyer, 2011a). The momentum to expand ASEAN was further accelerated by the need to strengthen the region’s voice in international trading bodies such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the World Trade Organization, and in negotiations with the European Union (Tan, 2003). Between 1995 and 1997, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) joined ASEAN. They are sometimes referred to as newer members with less-developed economies. With the ASEAN Concord II in late 2003, Southeast Asia charted an ambitious path toward creating a community (AC) founded on economic, security and socio-cultural pillars. In contrast to the EU on which the agreement is loosely based, have rested on open dialogue and concensus processes that have allowed politically and economic diverse nations to cooperate at the regional level. The progress of on ASEAN Concord II will rest on strong regional diplomacy and management...
Words: 3227 - Pages: 13
...2015 is an expected year for Vietnamese people and for ASEAN community in general as The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is founded in this year. AEC shall promote the ties of ASEAN members and also expand the route to globalization of many developing countries. Besides the immense advantages AEC offers, there are undeniably threats and issues that face ASEAN members, Vietnam is not the exception. Many researchers concern AEC may have substantial consequences on Vietnam economy, especially employment Of all the key characteristics AEC visualizes, Vietnamese economic researchers emphasize the most on the integration from region to global economy, which means free labor trade among ASEAN members. This feature at first may seem to satisfy an amount of workers preferring a chance to work overseas, but the threats it offers should be seriously considered. The International Labor Organization announced productivity of Vietnam is among the lowest in the region. They demonstrate the result with valid statistics: Singaporean productivity is approximately eighteen times and Thailand productivity is three times higher than Vietnamese. This appalling outcome has proved the concerns are reasonable, and that Vietnamese people probably can’t utilize this chance to develop the labor. The fact that AEC takes place means there are more jobs offered by foreign companies. But if Vietnamese people can’t meet the standard qualifications those firms demand, it is obviously that high positions with...
Words: 338 - Pages: 2
...ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations | The Association of Southeast Asian Nations is a regional trade arrangement. It is also possible to hear about AFTA, that means the ASEAN Free Trade Area. We can start by a reminder of what is a trade arrangement? This is a pact, which includes a wide ranging tax, tariff and trade arrangements including investment guarantees. Today, the ASEAN counts ten Southeast Asian countries. It is important to notice that it was established on the 8th August 1967 in Bangkok, with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration by the Founding Fathers of ASEAN, which are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The five others members entered lately, Brunei, Burma, Vietnam, Laos and the last one Cambodia. The date of its creation is known as the ASEAN day. Moreover we can add that the motto of ASEAN is the following: "One Vision, One Identity, One Community". Let’s answer to few questions in this presentation. First of all, we will see what the ASEAN is in detail, that means the structure (Charter, structure, summit, chair, secretariat). Then, how is it useful ? What are its goals? We will continue with key figures and statistics, to finish with the opportunities and future projects. I/ WHAT IS ASEAN? HOW IS IT ORGANIZED? * THE ASEAN CHAIR Each year the ASEAN chair changes, it is a rotation between the ten Member States. The chosen country is in charge of the chairmanship during the ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Coordinating Council...
Words: 1454 - Pages: 6
...← Essay writing Topic: What pros might Cambodia get from ASEAN? Nowadays, it is well known that Cambodia is going to join with the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, making every organization of the country are eager to develop and prepare in various ways to a par with international economics, politics, education and culture. It was also featured on the cultures of neighbouring countries. The majority point of ASEAN wants people, business, and many others organization in south East Asia become one. So, at this time, each country in south east Asia have to learn about ASEAN, but what is going to happen when ASEAN has started? , and is it good for people or business in Cambodia? So, they are sure that the prediction of ASEAN will be very great for almost every business in every single countries member. However, Cambodia is not ready for AEC in 2015 given its development status compared to the six older ASEAN members, because there are many constraints that Cambodia needs to address if it wants to have a successful integration into AEC 2015. While the quality of the Kingdom’s agricultural products and garments and textiles is sufficient, the quality of some other products is not so good. So, what pros might Cambodia get from ASEAN? First of all, human Resource in one nation is very important to develop the nation. After Khmer Rouge regime, nearly two million Cambodians including intellectuals, skilled workers, and ordinary people were killed and died of diseases...
Words: 1293 - Pages: 6
...Regional Perspectives on ASEAN - the United States Enhanced Partnership By Endra Introduction The signing of the ASEAN declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand marked the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). As the regional organization, the top priority of ASEAN is to accelerate the economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. Later on other countries in the region also joined this organization as follows; Brunei Darussalam in 1984, Vietnam in 1995, Laos and Myanmar (Burma) in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999. The ten-member organization is enhancing partnership, not only nations in the region, but also outside the region, especially with the United States (US). The relationship between ASEAN and the US has entered its fourth decade of partnership. Since the first engagement in 1977, both sides have experienced the ups and down of partnership. This relationship will become more significant as it broadens the sectors of partnership in the future. Initially, starting with economic and development cooperation, the enhanced relationships, with cooperation on politic, regional security, counter terrorism and transnational crimes, has achieved a new era of “comprehensive partnership.” For the next decade, regional development in Asia Pacific will require the partnership to become more comprehensive. Several key issues in the region...
Words: 2726 - Pages: 11
...Association of Southeast Asian Nations The Secretariat of ASEAN at Jalan Sisingamangaraja No.70A, South Jakarta, Indonesia. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations,[4] commonly abbreviated ASEAN ( /ˈɑːsi.ɑːn/ ah-see-ahn,[5] rarely /ˈɑːzi.ɑːn/ ah-zee-ahn),[6][7] is a geo-political and economic organization of ten countries located in Southeast Asia, which was formed on 8 August 1967 by Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.[8] Since then, membership has expanded to include Brunei, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. Its aims include the acceleration of economic growth, social progress, cultural development among its members, the protection of regional peace and stability, and to provide opportunities for member countries to discuss differences peacefully.[9] ASEAN covers a land area of 4.46 million km², 3% of the total land area of Earth, with a population of approximately 600 million people, 8.8% of the world population. The sea area of ASEAN is about three times larger than its land counterpart. In 2010, its combined nominal GDP had grown to US$1.8 trillion.[10] If ASEAN were a single entity, it would rank as the ninth largest economy in the world. History ASEAN was preceded by an organisation called the Association of Southeast Asia, commonly called ASA, an alliance consisting of the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand that was formed in 1961. The bloc itself, however, was established on 8 August 1967, when foreign ministers of five...
Words: 8221 - Pages: 33
...ECIPE OCCasIOnal PaPEr • no. 2/2010 REGIONAL ECONOMIC INTEGRATION IN ASIA: THE TRACK RECORD AND PROSPECTS By Razeen Sally Razeen Sally (razeen.sally@ecipe.org) is Director of ECIPE and on the faculty of the London School of Economics www.ecipe.org info@ecipe.org Rue Belliard 4-6, 1040 Brussels, Belgium Phone +32 (0)2 289 1350 ECIPE OCCASIONAL PAPER ExECuTIvE SuMMARy This is the season for regional-integration initiatives in Asia. There is talk of region-wide FTAs, and there are east-Asian initiatives on financial and monetary cooperation. But grand visions for Asian regional blocs are not achievable. Regional economic integration is most developed in east Asia, but only because of manufacturing supply chains linked to global markets. South Asia is the most malintegrated region in the world. And east and south Asia are much less integrated in finance than they are in trade and FDI – due to highly restrictive national policies governing financial markets. Asia’s existing FTAs are “trade light”. They are largely limited to tariff cuts, but have barely tackled non-tariff regulatory barriers in goods, services and investment, and are bedevilled by complex rules of origin requirements. An APEC FTA initiative has gone nowhere – entirely predictable given such a large, heterogeneous grouping. An east-Asian or a pan-Asian FTA, by discriminating against third countries, would compromise regional production networks linked to global supply chains. Moreover, huge economic...
Words: 12833 - Pages: 52
...Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) Narrowing the Development Gap Narrowing the Development Gap in ASEAN refers to reducing various forms of disparities among and within Member States where some pockets of underdevelopment persist. Measures in the ASEAN Political Security, Socio-Cultural and Economic Community Blueprints are targeted at policy reforms for narrowing the development divide to foster regional cooperation, greater social and economic integration, consistent with the objective of building an ASEAN Community in 2015. Initiative for ASEAN Integration The ASEAN Heads of State at their Summit in 2000 launched the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) with the objectives of Narrowing the Development Gap (NDG) and accelerating economic integration of the newer members of ASEAN, namely Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Viet Nam (CLMV). IAI Work Plans The efforts to narrow the development gap will be driven mainly by the IAI Work Plan (IAI-WP). The six-year IAI-Work Plans have been developed to assist the CLMV countries as well as ASEAN's other sub-regions to ensure that the economic wheels of their economies move at an accelerated pace. The first phase of the Work Plan covered the years 2002 to 2008. The current Work Plan (IAI-WP II) is based on key programme areas in the three Blueprints for the ASEAN Community: ASEAN Political-Security Community Blueprint, ASEAN Economic Community Blueprint and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community...
Words: 4769 - Pages: 20
...ASEAN and its ECONOMIC INTEGRATION 1) Objectives of this paper The objective of this paper is to dissect the concept of the ASEAN integration by looking into the history of the ASEAN, a brief analysis of the past treaties that have been passed and implemented, a scrutiny of the pillars of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the challenge it poses to all its member nations – including the Philippines. 2) Introduction ASEAN, A brief history Before analyzing the AEC or the treaties that ASEAN have passed, it is a need to understand the rationale and the history behind its formation. The goals and precepts the ASEAN have been outlined as such because of a myriad of significant historical events. South-East Asia was a region experiencing turmoil during the 1960s. Malaysia and Philippine relations were damaged between the years of 1962-66 owing to the conflict over Sabah. Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei were all reeling from the departure of Great Britain as colonizers. This event led these countries posed a daunting challenge, both economically and politically, that these newly independent countries needed to overcome. Then the clash between Indonesia and Malaysia; in 1965 after just barely three (3) years after union of Indonesia and Malaysia the two (2) countries decided to sever their ties and declared themselves independent from each other. The Vietnam War was ongoing which was further heightened by the increasing popularity of communism in the South-East...
Words: 1621 - Pages: 7
...The East Asia’ Regional Economic Integration Tutor: Griffith, Edward Student ID: 20647046 Student Name: Hong Xu (Eric) Word Count: 2369 Date of Submission: 18/1/2016 The East Asia’ Regional Economic Integration In the past twenty years, the East Asian economies realized the freedom of foreign trade and direct investment (FDI) because of the influence of GATT/WTO and APEC and as a result, it further promotes the economic growth of East Asia. The mutual economic dependence of each countries has increased a lot and therefore, close economic cooperation among Asian countries is necessary for healthy economic development. Many countries try to deepen their cooperation by establishing agreement and carrying out negotiation or discussion (Kawai 2004). Besides, the East Asian countries want to have their own institutions where they have vital voice in decision making after the financial crisis. As a consequence, the regional economic integration become an inevitable trend. The structure of this essay is organized as follows. The first part of this essay will discuss the driving forces of...
Words: 2796 - Pages: 12
