How the Asean Economic Community differs from the European Union - Shanmugam

How Asean Economic Community is different from European Union: no free movement of labour, limited movement of skilled labour

Back in July 7 2015 Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmgam said at a Business Luncheon organised by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce on July 7 2015 that the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) will not be the same as European Union.

He said that due to the lack of commonalities for living standards and common-value based system, the AEC will not incorporate free movement of labour.

Mr Shanmugam said: "There will be some movement but I think it has to fit within our current frameworks."

A core tenet of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) is to be a free flow of skilled labour.

However, it is only making concessions to eight professions at this point in time: engineering, nursing, architecture, medicine, dentistry, tourism, surveying and accounting. This is less than 1.5 per cent of the ASEAN labour force.

There are further limitations on the free movement of that small slice of skilled workers. There are minimum years of experience requirements, labour market tests, pre-employment requirements such as health clearances and numerous other domestic immigration and professional boxes to tick.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/singapore/aec-will-not-be-the-same/1967528.html

http://www.cipd.asia/people-management-magazine/hr-news-opinion/asean-free-movement-labour#