Asia-Pacific advances agenda for living wages

THE Asia-Pacific region can demonstrate that living wages are achievable through a systematic approach grounded in social dialogue and evidencebased wage systems, participants at a regional dialogue organised by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) heard.

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'Shaping the living wage agenda in Asia and the Pacific - A High-Level Regional Dialogue under the Global Coalition for Social Justice' took place 23-26 September in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The event brought together participants from 16 countries to explore making living wages a reality for all workers in Asia and the Pacific.

The dialogue heard that despite a steady growth in average wages in Asia and the Pacific, millions of workers, especially women, migrants and those in informal employment continue to struggle with low pay, poor working conditions and rising costs of living.

"What we need is a wage that allows workers not just to survive, but to live with dignity - a living wage. A living wage means being able to put healthy food on the table, afford decent housing, send children to school, and seek medical care when needed," said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo in a video message to the event.