What INSP!Red the Asia network in 2024?

Continental Advocacy: 174 people (62 women, and 20 young) from 115 CSOs were mobilized and participated in the actions at the Continental and National level of the Network to promote social protection for all, as one of the pillars of the decent work.

Two position papers on Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social protection for Just Transition and Social security for digital platform workers were produced by the Network and presented to stakeholders/ authorities at national / continental bodies.

Continental Learning: 96 people (34 women, 14 young) from 72 CSOs, members of the Continental Network were strengthened through Learning and Exchanges of experiences and knowledge on the rights to social protection within the framework of the network and in Synergy with other relevant actors. These initiatives consider gender inequalities, environmental challenges, and adaptive social protection.

What is the impact INSP!R Asia contributed to:

Between 2022 - 2024, INSP!R Asia lobbied for 7 proposals regulations, contributing to the approval of four which would  benefit 175M people  (47% women and 40% under 35 years). These are:

• Safety & Health as a Fundamental Right (2022) – Led a webinar, advocacy drive, and publication that helped secure adoption of “a safe and healthy working environment” as the 5th Fundamental Principle and Right at Work at the 110th International Labour Conference, triggering consequential changes to the ILO Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization and the Global Jobs Pact.
• Social Protection Commitments in the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration (2022) – Actively represented labour and civil society voices in the L20 and C20 tracks, shaping the L20 Statement and C20 Policy Pack that were reflected in paragraph 41 of the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration, where leaders pledged a human centred, inclusive, and just approach to decent work and universal social protection by 2030.
• Challenged Indonesia’s Job Creation “Omnibus” Law (2023 24) – Secured placement of Indonesia’s Job Creation Law on the ILO Committee on the Application of Standards shortlist for discussion under Convention 98; the CAS adopted strong conclusions (p. 47) that, together with sustained campaigning, prompted Indonesia’s Constitutional Court to mandate reform of the labour law.
• UN Global Accelerator on Jobs & Social Protection (2024) – Mobilized partner organizations in Pathfinder countries and coordinated advocacy that ensured social protection measures were written into each country’s National Road map under the UN Global Accelerator for a Just Transition.

Continental partners: INSP!R Asia, YCW-ASPAC

Budget for 2024: 60.000 € (DGD) 

Donors: WSM, DGD

Duration of the program: 2022-2026

First time facilitating session at international workshop: INSP!R Asia

 Mrs. Meng Navy is the Project Coordinator for the WSM-supported programme at the Cambodian Labour Confederation (CLC), which she represents in SP4ALL, the Cambodian network for universal social protection.

“In September 2024, I participated in the INSP!R Asia regional workshop in Kathmandu, which focused on two key topics: Delivering Social Protection in the Platform Economy and the UN Global Accelerator on Jobs and Social Protection for a Just Transition. This was my first experience moderating a session in an international workshop. I deepened my understanding of the Global Accelerator, particularly in the context of Cambodia’s recently launched Pentagonal Strategy, which aims to accelerate SDG progress and support the country’s ambition to graduate from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by 2029, achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030, and become a high-income country by 2050. Under this strategy, the Cambodian government has pledged to adopt pro-employment macroeconomic and financing policies. I hope that throughout the implementation of the Global Accelerator, trade unions and civil society organizations will be meaningfully involved in the process.”

The Asia context in 2024 In relation to the INSP!R network issues

It is increasingly alarming that trade unions and civil society  organizations (CSOs) across Asia are facing shrinking democratic space, often with serious consequences: policymaking now bypasses tripartite mechanisms and other forums where unions and CSOs once structurally engaged with the government. To remain effective, we must adjust our advocacy—strengthening ties with like minded CSOs and trade unions, presenting ourselves as partners in the shared pursuit of justice and prosperity, raising awareness about surveillance and safe communication, adapting our phrasing on social media, ensuring compliance with ever stricter bureaucratic requirements and national laws, and seizing every available channel for social dialogue. At the ASEAN level, authoritarian governance, widening post COVID  wealth gaps, and polarization along racial or religious lines prioritize economic priorities rather than human rights. Many governments now woo foreign investors while tightening laws that stifle dissent and threaten activists, leaving unions and CSOs with shrinking room for advocacy.

In this environment, collaboration, careful messaging, and evidence based policy proposals are essential. From 2022-2024, INSP!R Asia produced several position papers on current issues like climate justice or digital platform workers, forged regional and global alliances, hosted major events, and championed social protection rights. However, inadequate funding for sustained engagement—continuous outreach to decision makers, data driven argumentation, and physical presence at key meetings—remains our greatest obstacle. Recognized by the ILO, ITUC Asia Pacific, and other regional CSOs, INSP!R Asia has played pivotal roles at the G20/L20/C20, the ASEAN People’s Forum, and the UN Global Accelerator on Employment and Social Protection for a Just Transition, while supporting trade union partners at the ITUC and ILO, including during the International Labour Conference in promoting relevant conventions and recommendations. Securing additional resources will allow us to amplify this impact, strengthen our network, and advance progressive policies locally, regionally, and globally.

Strength in numbers: what have WSM's Asia partners achieved in 2023?

Labour rights: Over 900.000 people, of which 56% women and 28% under 35 years, were reached by the services of the Asian partners to improve their working conditions.

Health: Over 200.000 people (63% women and 67% under 35y) had better access to health, mostly in Bangladesh through GK and through AREDS in India.

Social protection: over 500.000 people (51% women and 43% under 35 years) were reached by services to ensure better social security coverage.

Vocational training: nearly 200 workers (82% women and 80% under 35 years) received skill training to find new jobs, such as in tailoring, driving or paramedics.

Social economy: 100 members (63% women) were assisted by the partner organisations to improve their income through social economy initiatives like cooperatives.

INSP!R Asia network:

Advocacy: almost 7.500 members (half women, 26% under 35 years) were involved in advocacy efforts at country level to promote social protection, and 250 members (one third women) at continental level.

Learning: Over 6.500 members (55% women) from the partners learned how to better advocate for social protection at national level and 1.263 (38% women, two thirds under 35 years) at the continental level.