This DevPulse issue tackles policy imperatives to improve the country’s labor situation in order to take better advantage of the opportunities in AEC, as recommended by experts who include an economics professor and former Cabinet official, researchers from the government’s think tank, and a labor department official.
The first article discusses policies addressing the “skills challenge” Filipinos will face due to free movement of ASEAN workers. The second story highlights the need to create an environment of openness and fair competition to allow freer flow of investments. Minimizing foreign equity restrictions continues as a theme in the third and final article, along with paradigm shifts for farmers and entrepreneurs, in seizing the advantages of free trade.
Notes from the Editors: Demystifying ASEAN integration and the Philippine labor market
“There is nothing mystical about the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), because the way to succeed there, internationally, is to do the things that we need to do anyway as a nation.” This was the synthesis of Emmanuel Esguerra, NEDA Deputy Director-General for Policy and Planning, in a forum that gathered labor and regional integration experts continue reading : Notes from the Editors: Demystifying ASEAN integration and the Philippine labor market
“Skills challenge” seen with free flow of ASEAN professionals
Beginning 2016, professionals from ASEAN countries will have greater mobility to work within the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). While experts do not foresee massive displacement of Filipino workers, they warn of a “skills challenge” that needs to be addressed through a strengthened educational system and professional regulation. The Philippines as labor recipient The entry of continue reading : “Skills challenge” seen with free flow of ASEAN professionals
We could have attracted investments if only Philippines is more open
Filipinos are strongly positioned to benefit from job opportunities of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC). But the Philippines has to do more in terms of opening up to foreign investors and enabling an environment for fair competition. Former Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Cielito Habito, who is Chief of Party of the USAID Trade- Related Assistance for continue reading : We could have attracted investments if only Philippines is more open
Equity limits, agri policies among the remaining issues on free ASEAN trade
The ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) envisions the region to become a significant player in global trade by having a single production and market base within the ASEAN. This means that firms and individuals can freely transact business across countries within the region without being subjected to too many country rules, procedures, and duties. Regional economic continue reading : Equity limits, agri policies among the remaining issues on free ASEAN trade
Click here to download a PDF copy of the NEDA DevPulse Vol. 17 No. 1 2nd Semester 2014 issue.
