ADB’s central mission is working to reduce poverty in Asia and the Pacific and to ensure the benefits of economic growth and social development are equitably spread.
The Asia and the Pacific region is home to a growing number of migrants moving from their communities to others in the same country or to other countries. Migration can be a powerful contributor to economic and social development. At the same time, migration can add to overcrowding in cities, strain social cohesion in migrant receiving areas, and be tied up with human trafficking.
Greater connectivity between and among countries has promoted human mobility within the region. Migrants can bring needed labor skills, trading networks, and an entrepreneurial spirit to destination communities. Migrants also send remittances to their places of origin, providing financial resources that can reduce poverty and be used for productive purposes. ADB supports its developing member countries to facilitate human mobility while maximizing its benefits.
This report recommends ways to combine regional and national strategies for containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure. It summarizes the assessments of the HIV/AIDS situations in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, particularly along transport corridors connecting these two countries with each other and with neighboring states. And it concludes by highlighting the need for an improved coordination of disease prevention and control at the regional level, with measures such as vulnerability mapping and targeted intervention.
HIV/AIDS Vulnerabilities in Regional Transport Corridors in the Kyrgyz Republic and TajikistanThis report recommends ways to combine regional and national strategies for containing the spread of HIV/AIDS, especially among key populations at higher risk of HIV exposure. It summarizes the assessments of the HIV/AIDS situations in the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, particularly along transport corridors connecting these two countries with each other and with neighboring states. And it concludes by highlighting the need for an improved coordination of disease prevention and control at the regional level, with measures such as vulnerability mapping and targeted intervention.
Migration within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) can be categorized as international migration, internal migration, and border mobility. Labor migration in the GMS is widespread and concerns at least 3 to 5 million workers.
International, bilateral, and national legislation provide the legal framework for addressing migration issues. However, gaps still exist, cooperation could be enhanced, and governance issues still slow the process down.
The main issues related to labor migration in the GMS are the following:
Regarding migration within the GMS, recommendations emerging from this paper include the following:
Migration within the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) can be categorized as international migration, internal migration, and border mobility. Labor migration in the GMS is widespread and concerns at least 3 to 5 million workers.
International, bilateral, and national legislation provide the legal framework for addressing migration issues. However, gaps still exist, cooperation could be enhanced, and governance issues still slow the process down.
The main issues related to labor migration in the GMS are the following:
Regarding migration within the GMS, recommendations emerging from this paper include the following:
This publication examines the impact of the crisis among migrant workers and their families—with gender perspective—to provide useful information for better evidence-based policy making.
Based on household surveys in Indonesia and the Philippines, the results show that women are in worse condition and are more vulnerable than men. Women migrants still have lower education and skills, reflected in their inferior jobs. They face greater difficulties in reintegration when they return, forcing them to return abroad. Women also bear a heavier burden due to their gendered role in the family, and those who stay are more often unemployed or in vulnerable employment. Moreover, despite strong views that the man should be the breadwinner and the one going abroad, the increasing feminization of current migration indicates that necessity is a strong push factor forcing more women to go abroad.
These findings further strengthen the call for considering gender in migration policies.
Impact of Global Crisis on Migrant Workers and Families: Gender PerspectiveThis publication examines the impact of the crisis among migrant workers and their families—with gender perspective—to provide useful information for better evidence-based policy making.
Based on household surveys in Indonesia and the Philippines, the results show that women are in worse condition and are more vulnerable than men. Women migrants still have lower education and skills, reflected in their inferior jobs. They face greater difficulties in reintegration when they return, forcing them to return abroad. Women also bear a heavier burden due to their gendered role in the family, and those who stay are more often unemployed or in vulnerable employment. Moreover, despite strong views that the man should be the breadwinner and the one going abroad, the increasing feminization of current migration indicates that necessity is a strong push factor forcing more women to go abroad.
These findings further strengthen the call for considering gender in migration policies.
The study examines labor market trends and obstacles to women’s economic empowerment—particularly in agriculture, business development, and wage employment. Labor migration and vulnerability to shocks are highlighted as special themes. It makes a series of policy recommendations, identifies areas for further research, and highlights how Asian Development Bank investments can promote women’s economic empowerment.
Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment in CambodiaThe study examines labor market trends and obstacles to women’s economic empowerment—particularly in agriculture, business development, and wage employment. Labor migration and vulnerability to shocks are highlighted as special themes. It makes a series of policy recommendations, identifies areas for further research, and highlights how Asian Development Bank investments can promote women’s economic empowerment.
Domestic policies and bilateral agreements are necessary to support efficient job matching, eliminate abuses in the recruitment process, and protect the rights of workers abroad.
Domestic policies and bilateral agreements are necessary to support efficient job matching, eliminate abuses in the recruitment process, and protect the rights of workers abroad.
The biggest driver of migration flows in Asia is the search for greater job opportunities and better income.
Rapid aging in Asia and the Pacific has put the region at the forefront of one of the most important global demographic trends.
The graduation approach is an innovative, holistic and proven approach to addressing remaining poverty and reducing inequality, Strategy 2030's first operational priority.
Reducing poverty in Asia and the Pacific, even in countries with relatively high per capita income, remains an unfinished agenda. Despite major progress, the region was home to 326 million people living in extreme poverty (or below the $1.90/day poverty line) in 2013.
Social protection is set of policies and programs designed to reduce poverty and vulnerability by promoting efficient labor markets, diminishing people’s exposure to risks, and enhancing their capacity to protect themselves against hazards and interruption/loss of income.