Long abstract

About Publications & Documents Information by Country

The region of Southeast Asia includes the countries geographically south of China, east of India and north of Australia. As the region enjoys significant growth and development, major challenges are arising for their labour markets.

The OECD and its LEED Programme (responsible for local economic and employment development) is already engaged in a policy dialogue on the governance of employment and skills with Asian economies who have expressed a growing interest in decentralisation, partnership and local employment and skills strategies.
In recognition of the complex form that these strategies must take in order to support a sustainable and equitable recovery, the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the OECD are working together to help government institutions and other agencies to share their experiences and engage in a process of mutual learning.

Objectives

This initiative on "Employment and Skills Strategies in Southeast Asia" aims to:

• Foster the exchange of experience relating to employment and skills development.
• Identify innovative policies and practices in the region.
• Generate guidance and recommendations.

It responds to the need expressed by OECD member countries and neighbouring economies to learn more from the region’s experience and to share policy lessons.

Participating countries

Expected participating countries: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Philippines and Indonesia. The initiative is open to other Southeast Asian countries; neighbouring economies and other OECD and non-OECD countries.

Intended participants

Participants who are envisinged to participate in the initiative include local governments, employment services, training institutions, key partners in local development strategies (including representatives of national governments, employers' and workers' organisations, and selected research/support organisations), international development agencies (multilateral and bilateral) and ILO and OECD staff. Priority will be given to local and national economic development practitioners.