The ASEAN Labour Statisticians Network (ALSN) was launched today in Singapore to help member states identify emerging jobs and skills, thereby strengthening workforce planning across the region. Proposed by Singapore, the network will aid ASEAN countries in anticipating the labour market impacts of artificial intelligence (AI), the green transition, and digital work platforms.
The inaugural ALSN Expert Forum, running from 27 to 29 October, marks the debut of two significant initiatives: the ASEAN Green Jobs Report and the ALSN Co-Creation Incubator Projects. The report provides a comprehensive view of green jobs and skills across ASEAN, whilst the incubator projects employ AI to enhance workforce intelligence.
Stanley Loh, Permanent Secretary at Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower, emphasised the importance of collaboration: “The world of work is changing quickly, and we need better ways to understand what those changes mean for employment, skills and workers. No country can build that understanding alone.”
The forum, attended by key figures such as ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General San Lwin and ILO Chief Statistician Ritash Sarna, also saw the launch of the ASEAN Labour Statistics Office and the ALSN Knowledge Portal. These initiatives aim to improve the consistency of labour market data and facilitate better-informed workforce policies.
As Singapore prepares for its ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027, the ALSN is expected to play a crucial role in navigating the future of work, making labour markets more resilient and enterprises more competitive across the region.
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