Time to drive growth through decent work in supply chains

When we buy a shirt, use a mobile phone, or sip a cup of coffee, how often do we think about the people who made it possible?

- By Kaori Nakamura-Osaka International Labour Organization Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific

In Asia and the Pacific, close to halfa billion workers, whether in factories, on farms, at sea, or at home, form the backbone of local, regional and global supply chains. From electronics in Viet Nam and garments in Bangladesh to seafood in Thailand and automobiles in India, the region powers much of the world’s production, an economic engine worth trillions of dollars.

Yet this economic strength hides challenges. Too many jobs are informal or precarious, with work outsourced through opaque subcontracting chains beyond effective oversight. Weak national capacity and inadequate enforcement mech-

anisms deepen these vulnerabilities, leaving space for exploitation, from unsafe and unfair conditions to child and forced labor. At the same time, only a limited number of workers have adequate social protection and persistent gender pay gaps remain across sectors.

These challenges are not inevitable. With the right policies, stronger institutions and empowered workers,

supply chains in Asia and the Pacific can be engines for inclusive growth. Strengthening public policy, building the capacity of regulators, employers’ and workers’ organizations as well as ensuring workers’ voices are heard are all essential steps.