Indonesia proposes wider ASEAN recognition of worker skills

hartono · Aug 28, 2026

Indonesia proposes wider ASEAN recognition of worker skills

Indonesian Manpower Minister Yassierli at the 29th ASEAN Labour Ministers Meeting (ALMM) in Bangkok, Thailand, Wednesday (Aug. 26, 2026). /ANTARA/HO-Indonesian Ministry of Manpower/aa.

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has proposed that ASEAN accelerate and expand its mutual recognition arrangement for workers' skills and competencies to widen mobility opportunities for skilled workers across the region, Manpower Minister Yassierli said Friday.

Yassierli said broader recognition would help employers across ASEAN understand and trust workers' competencies while improving the matching of skilled talent with regional labor market needs.

"Indonesia believes it is time for ASEAN to accelerate the mutual recognition agenda and gradually expand its scope to more types of jobs and skill areas," Yassierli said in a statement received in Jakarta on Friday.

He said artificial intelligence, digitalization, the green transition and demographic shifts were changing the world of work and creating new demands for skills.

Despite differences in national conditions, ASEAN countries face common challenges from automation, AI and demographic change, making human resource development a shared regional priority, he said.

As new and specialized skills emerge across industries, broader recognition would help connect qualified workers with opportunities while strengthening confidence in their competencies.

Yassierli said a stronger ASEAN recognition system could also enhance the credibility of regional skills and competencies beyond Southeast Asia and support wider international recognition.

Indonesia also sees a role for the Plus Three partners — China, Japan and South Korea — whose experience in skills development, occupational standards, certification and industry engagement could help ASEAN advance the recognition agenda.

Their experience could strengthen links between ASEAN's skills development systems and evolving industry needs across the region, he said.

"For Indonesia, broader mutual recognition can create greater opportunities for ASEAN's skilled workers, support better talent matching with labor market needs, and strengthen their contribution to productivity and sustainable economic development," Yassierli said.