Future of Work

The FES Regional Comptence Center on the Future of Work in Asia-Pacific (Future of Work project) is a platform for unionists, workers, labor leaders, and labor institutions in the Asia-Pacific region to come together and strategize collectively on issues that affect workers and their rights.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is rapidly sweeping the region, leaving workers with fewer alternatives to keep their jobs and also in being treated fairly. The gig economy along with the intricacies of supply chains, offers precarious employment, obscures traditional work patterns which makes it harder for unions to organize. Climate change is also making work challenging, with extreme weather conditions like heat waves creating more stressful working conditions that are not taken into account in workplace policies. Along with all these issues, gender justice is an overarching concern as workers face numerous obstacles in ensuring that women in productive work have same rights and economic value as their male counterparts.

These present challenges require more workers-led interventions such as meaningful workers’ dialogue with employers, gender sensitization among trade unions, an appreciation of just transition principles and how they can be incorporated into collective bargaining agreements, and pushing for national and regional policy frameworks that give equal consideration to workers' rights to decent work, organize, and collectively bargain. The FES Regional Comptence Center on the Future of Work in Asia-Pacific hopes to provide appropriate tools and strategies for workers to create these interventions brought together by workers themselves.


Ever wondered how unions can build more power to improve the lives of workers? Explore real-life case studies from across Asia show how workers are winning battles for better wages, safer working conditions, and fair treatment. From garment workers in Mongolia fighting for dignity to tech workers in India pushing back against unfair practices, these stories highlight how the Power Resource Approach is making a difference. 

Learn how we can use these strategies to strengthen your own unions and create lasting change in this page.


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Who cleans our city? Do you spot them among the beautiful city landscape and lush green scenery? Do you know that the cleanliness of the city is their biggest achievement? However, many of sanitary workers' achievements in Islamabad, Pakistan often go unsung until after one has left the job. Read the documentary synopsis here.


Contact

Marie Schröter

Director, FES Philippines

E-mail

Informalization of Work

Informalization of Work

Learn how to build bridges and combine the power resources of workers in both the informal and formal economies in this toolkit. More

AI & Digitalization

AI & Digitalization

News on current debates and insightful research to shape a digital future that prioritises fairness for workers, quality jobs, and strong social protections. More

Just Transition

Just Transition

Explore international accomplishments in implementing the concept of Just Transition among Asian countries in this editorial. Not limited to the positive side, it also looks at the shortcomings of recent efforts and problematic schemes for implementing low carbon technologies. More

Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)

Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD)

Learn about corporate obligations with regard to Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) in this publication. More

News

15.08.2023 | Economy of tomorrow | News
A photo of a woman holding small flags and the background is full of country flags.

Halima Binte Islam told us that the FES New York Summer School was not just a series of lectures; it was a transformative experience that fueled her…


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14.08.2023 | Future of Work, Trade, labour and social dialogue | News
A photo of a man holding a shovel with a pile of bricks in the background

Get a glimpse of the hidden chains of modern slavery in Pakistan, as millions endure bonded labour. Explore the critical and courageous role of…


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09.08.2023 | Future of Work, Trade, labour and social dialogue | News
A photo of a worker resting on a mountain of leathers.

Workers in Bangladesh’s huge tannery sector have been bearing the brunt of recent “sustainability” drives, as authorities have relocated polluting…


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01.05.2023 | Future of Work | News

We are recognizing workers in various sectors and industries across Asia. Their stories are the testament to the reality of their life and work…


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25.04.2023 | Future of Work, Trade, labour and social dialogue | News
Portrait photo of a woman worker in a tea plant in Bangladesh

Workers in Bangladesh’s renowned tea plantations have been fighting injustice and exploitation for more than a century. Trade unions have made some…


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Publications

Astha Kapoor | Future of Work | Publication

With a spot-on description of the problems workers in the digital economy face today Astha Kapoor develops models that allow workers to develop…


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Syed Marwan, Ikmal Nordin and Ng Ming Yang | Publication

An analysis of the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 and reform of social protection in Malaysia.


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Ardhitya E. Y. Lalisang and Darang S. Candra | Publication

Indonesia’s Global Maritime Fulcrum and China’s Belt Road Initiative at first glance seem to be like a perfect match. But bilateral relations have…


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Sergio Grassi | Publication

China’s geopolitics and geoeconomics are challenged by democratic transformation. An analysis of the BRI in Malaysia.


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29.01.2016

»Wer bin ich – und wenn ja, wie viele?« Frei nach dem Bestseller von Richard David Precht neigt jeder Mensch zur Vernetzung. Und die erfolgt im…


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