By Marita Moaje
MANILA – Leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states will explore regional measures for easier mobility of skilled digital workers across the region amid the increasing demand for specialized skills and the expansion of digital economy.
At the ongoing 49th ASEAN Summit in Manila on Sunday, ASEAN leaders reaffirmed their commitment towards realizing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, adopting a declaration directing their economic ministers to review an ongoing feasibility study and explore ways to facilitate the cross-border movement of digital professionals.
The declaration underscored the importance of “effective and timely implementation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Strategic Plan 2026-2030 in deepening regional economic integration, through a high-quality, dynamic, and digitally skilled workforce, at a time when ASEAN’s digital economy is poised for substantial growth.”
“Noting that the rapid growth of ASEAN’s digital economy continues to generate strong and evolving demand for specialized digital skills, and that supporting, where appropriate, the movement of digital talent across the region can help Member States complement one another’s strengths, address talent supply-demand imbalances, and foster shared prosperity,” the declaration read.
The proposed measures include mapping each member state’s regulations and procedures, developing common tools and mechanisms, and testing possible arrangements through voluntary pilot programs, including in specific sectors.
The leaders said greater mobility could help countries address differences in the supply and demand for digital skills and complement one another’s workforce capabilities, and called for closer cooperation among ASEAN bodies handling trade, economic affairs, immigration, labor, digital development, vocational training and education.
The declaration called for secure digital systems for information exchange and the sharing of best practices among member states.
However, the initiative will not override national immigration and employment rules as leaders reaffirmed the “full sovereign right of each ASEAN Member State to regulate entry, stay, access to its labour market and employment, work permit, qualifications recognition, and related procedures of individuals.”
Participation will be voluntary, with each country deciding whether to join the proposed arrangements.
Meanwhile, ASEAN leaders also called for capacity-building and knowledge-sharing to improve digital skills and narrow gaps among countries, taking into account their different levels of digital development and infrastructure.
The declaration states that the initiative supports the ASEAN Economic Community Strategic Plan 2026-2030 and the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, which seek to strengthen regional economic integration and build a more competitive digital economy. (PNA)
