Preamble

The ASEAN Social Charter is an instrument and a minimum benchmark that obliges governments and non-state social actors to protect workers' right to decent work and to advance social development.

The ASEAN Social Charter is a necessary component in building an ASEAN identity for its citizens.  It demonstrates the ASEAN Community's deepest commitment to the interests and welfare of its citizens.

The ASEAN Social Charter is the social counterpart to ASEAN's economic, trade, and investment architecture.  It is envisaged that a social pillar is necessary to counter the negative impacts of globalization on labour standards, distribution of income and social protection.

The ASEAN Social Charter is integrated and implemented in the context of the newly initiated ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, complementing and developing a comprehensive and integrated ASEAN social development policy.

The ASEAN Social Charter addresses and represents the aspirations and concerns of development-oriented governments, socially responsible employers and trade unions including civil society at large.