Trade and investment can be powerful drivers of economic growth and development in Asia and the Pacific, but their benefits for workers and enterprises depend on effective policy coordination, strong labour institutions and meaningful engagement of social partners, participants at an ILO regional seminar in Sri Lanka heard.
Trade, investment and decent work: Fostering development in Asia-Pacific, was organised by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from 18 to 21 August 2026.
More than 30 representatives of labour and trade ministries, employers' organizations and workers' organizations from eight countries - Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand - took part. The event aimed to strengthen knowledge of the links between trade, investment and decent work and exchange experiences on policies and practices that can contribute to inclusive growth.
© Hashan Lokuge/ILO
"Trade and investment have enormous potential to create jobs, strengthen enterprises and support sustainable development. But these benefits are not automatic. Bringing labour and trade policymakers together with employers and workers is essential to ensure that trade and investment policies translate into decent work and shared prosperity," said Joni Simpson, ILO Country Director for Sri Lanka and the Maldives.
Over three and a half days, participants examined regional trade and labour trends, labour provisions in trade and investment arrangements, responsible business conduct, sustainable enterprises, productivity and stakeholder engagement in trade-related policymaking.
A distinguishing feature of the event was its success in bringing together officials from both labour and trade ministries alongside employers' and workers' representatives, fostering dialogue across policy areas and among key stakeholders.
Discussions highlighted the need for stronger consultation mechanisms and more systematic engagement of social partners. Participants noted that structured dialogue between trade and labour ministries and employers' and workers' organizations remains limited in many countries, despite the growing influence of trade and investment policies on labour markets and that it should be more institutionalised.
During the event, each country delegation developed a national action plan identifying priorities for strengthening the contribution of trade and investment to decent work. Common challenges included limited awareness of labour provisions and responsible business conduct, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises, weak stakeholder engagement and insufficient coordination among institutions.
© Hashan Lokuge/ILO
Priorities identified included strengthening social dialogue, promoting responsible business conduct, improving enforcement of labour laws and regulations, and reinforcing policy coherence across government institutions. Participants also highlighted opportunities for trade and investment to support job creation, skills development and technological upgrading. The action plans will provide a basis for continued engagement among national constituents and potential ILO follow-up support.
In addition, preliminary findings from an ILO stakeholder survey on Trade and Decent Work in Asia were presented. The survey examined how governments and employers' and workers' organizations participate in trade and labour discussions and decision-making, as well as their perspectives on the effects of trade and investment on workers and enterprises.
The seminar was jointly organized by the ILO Research and Statistics Department, the ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, and the ILO Country Office for Sri Lanka and the Maldives under the ILO IMPLEMENT project, funded by the Government of Flanders, Belgium. It also benefited from financial and technical support from ILO projects funded by Japan, Canada and the European Union, as well as other ILO initiatives.
The IMPLEMENT project - Trade and Investment Arrangements: Implementation and Stakeholder Engagement for Promoting Decent Work - strengthens the capacity of governments and employers' and workers' organizations to promote decent work in the context of trade and investment and enhance stakeholder engagement in trade-related initiatives.
