Labor migration trends are usually defined by economic and policy conditions in destination countries. However, the usual drivers of migration have been disrupted by pandemic-related travel restrictions and economic shutdowns, especially in developing countries. As a result, migrant labor deployments have dropped significantly across Asia.

In many cases, migrant workers have been forced to return to their home countries or have even been unable to return to them. This has prompted governments to carry out large-scale repatriation measures and help returning migrant workers reintegrate into their communities.

Co-hosted by ADBI, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the International Labour Organization (ILO), the 11th Annual Roundtable on Labor Migration in Asia will explore the impacts of market disruptions, including COVID-19, on labor migration in the region. It will also examine policy responses, the role of technology, and the outlook for labor migration trends and management in Asia moving forward.

Objectives

• Assess the effects of COVID-19 on labor migration trends and management in Asia to support the development of effective medium and long-term policy responses
• Examine the utilization of migration technology to help with COVID-19 recovery and improve the well-being of migrant workers
• Promote regional cooperation as a mechanism for strengthening labor migration management