Asia is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Partly, the rapid economic growth is due to the rise of Factory Asia as manufacturing as well as the deepening of agricultural and extractive transnational corporations'  (TNCs) operations in the region. Investments by TNCs are welcomed by the Asian governments, which have been adopting neoliberal economic policies more than ever.

About AROSP

The Asian Roundtable on Social Protection (AROSP) is a network of grassroots workers’ organisations, trade unions, NGOs, and scholars in Asia that work on the issues of formal and informal workers. AROSP serves as a platform to provide mutual help, facilitate information sharing, and help organisations build their understanding on social protection. As a regional network, it aims to support and consolidate the regional struggle for social protection for the poor across various sectors in Asia.

Take action to demand justice for the victims of Kidapawan carnage!

Day of the Landless

Stop oil palm plantations! Fight for land, fight for life!

Statement

March 30, 2016

As we mark the Day of the Landless on March 29, the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC) is launching the “Stop Oil Palm Plantations!” campaign. This, amidst the massive and aggressive expansion of the palm oil industry that further threatens the life and livelihood of countless farmers, farm workers, indigenous peoples, and other oppressed and exploited rural sectors in the region.

This action research conducted by EILER examines how women in the informal sector in two urban communities in Manila make the most of available resources in order to rise above their seemingly disadvantaged situation within the economy. 

The Asian Roundtable on Social Protection (AROSP) Network's periodic newsletter on social protection issues in Asia.

Jose Carlos Maningat
Ecumenical Institute for Labour Education and Research, Inc.
Philippines

Discussion Paper No. 1, December 2015

Philippines, 2015 - Labor Education and Research Network (LEARN)

This education module on capital mobility explains the capitalist crisis, and assesses the impact of capital mobility on workers and trade unions. The module also provides stories of workers in the global supply chains and their struggles.

This meeting report discussed the prospect of labour organising in Asia.

Unity Statement of the National Oil Palm Conference

Davao City, Philippines

The palm oil industry is promoted as a “sunshine industry” now among the Philippine government’s priorities.  Palm oil is one of the most highly-traded commodities at the global level. Oil palm is touted as a “tree of peace” with its promises of livelihood and development, food security, poverty alleviation and economic stability.

Southeast Asian economies show notable performance in the recent years. In 2013, for instance, the growth rate of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP) is 4.9 per cent compared to the entire world’s GDP growth rate of 3.0 per cent. However, despite this significant GDP growth rate, employment in Southeast Asia did not rise in the same rate as the GDP has risen. It has grown only by 1.5 per cent. Moreover, poverty remains prevalent and income gaps become wider. In other words, the economic growth in numbers does not translate to the improvement of the quality of lives of the people at the grassroots level.

The two-day meeting focused on understanding and mapping the landscape of labour resistance in Asia in the past decade or so, with a special focus on identifying, in each country, (1) emerging forms of labour resistance, (2) emerging actors and players in new labour movements, and (3) trends in emerging alliance building and collaborative initiatives.