Empowering Migrant Workers: Lessons Learned from ILO Migrant Worker Resource Centres in the ASEAN region

This publication draws on the experience of the International Labour Organisation’s support for Migrant Worker Resource Centres (MRCs) in the ASEAN region. It highlights how these centres improve access to information, legal aid, and social protection for migrant workers while promoting safe migration, decent work, and long-term sustainability through strong community partnerships and rights-based approaches.

MRCs offer a wide range of services, including counselling, psychosocial support, legal aid, information, outreach, pre-migration and post-return training, and targeted programmes for migrant women, people with disabilities, fishers, seafood processors and domestic workers. Their role in organizing migrant workers into networks and trade unions has helped build a collective voice and empower migrant workers.

The publication offers practical guidance to governments, trade unions and civil society organizations on improving delivery of information and services to support safe migration for decent work. It advocates for further investments in community-based support structures that prioritize the labour rights and empowerment of migrant workers. It was commissioned by the ILO's TRIANGLE in ASEAN, Safe and Fair/ PROTECT and Ship to Shore Rights programmes.