PLAN OF ACTION ON REVITALISING ASEAN OSHNET

INTRODUCTION
1. Many studies have shown that economic development is strongly co-related to rising OSH standards. Many global companies also identify OSH as a key consideration in their investment decisions. Better OSH outcomes and a good OSH regime in this region will reduce disruptions to production and service capacities, as well as enhance business profitability and contribute to improving the happiness and well-being of workers. It will help position ASEAN as a stable and reliable operating environment for businesses, make it a more attractive investment destination and support the goals of ASEAN integration.
2. The ASEAN Policy Dialogue on National Occupational Safety and Health Frameworks was held in Singapore in January 2007. The dialogue established a 5-year Plan of Action, from 2007 to 2011, for the ASEAN Occupational Safety and Health Network (ASEAN-OSHNET). This Plan of Action was subsequently adopted by the ASEAN-OSHNET Coordinating Board Meeting (CBM). The Plan of Action focused on:
(a) Guiding ASEAN Member States (AMS) in the implementation and strengthening of national OSH frameworks; and
(b) Enhancing OSH standards, systems, strategies and programmes in the region, as well as other partner countries and international organisations in pursuing the same objectives.
3. The 11th ASEAN-OSHNET CBM in April 2010 took stock of the efforts and noted several positive achievements of ASEAN-OSHNET. The details of some past achievements are attached as Appendix 1. The meeting had also noted that ASEAN-OSHNET needs to move beyond information sharing and capacity building and focus more on raising the OSH standards in ASEAN. Accordingly, the ASEAN OSH Policy Dialogue on Revitalising ASEAN OSHNET was held from 25 to 27 January 2011 in Singapore and a Plan of Action.was developed to support these aims. The Plan of Action was submitted to the 12th ASEAN OSHNET CBM in Lao PDR from 6 to 7 April 2011 for further consideration. The Plan of Action that is endorsed by the 12th ASEAN OSHNET CBM is outlined below.