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AccordingtotheIbonbrief,AECintegrationmusttransform
ASEANintoaregionthatistrulypeoplecentred.Thegoalof
integrationshouldnotbasedonbecominganeconomicsuperpower
thatwouldbenefitlocalelitesandtransnationalcorporationsatthe
expenseofpeople.
AccordingtoareportonASEANCommunity2015:Managingintegrationforbetterjobs
andsharedprosperity,Despitesignificantprogress,ASEANmaynotachieveallAEC
targetsbytheDecember2015deadline.Difficultieshavearisenfromstructural
differencesamongMemberStatesandintraregionalconflicts,aswellasfromthe
changingglobaleconomicandpoliticallandscape. 28Nevertheless,economicintegration
canbeseenasalongertermprocessforwhichASEANleadershaveestablishedasolid
base.Continuedprogresswillrequiresustainedpoliticalwill,coordination,capacity
building,andthestrengtheningofnationalandregionalinstitutions.
Asthischapterandtherestofthereportmakeclear,theAECislikelytohavefar
reachingconsequencesforASEANworkersgiventhebreadthanddepthofeconomic
integrationthathasbeenplannedandisbeingimplemented.TheAECisexpectedto
precipitatenationalandregionaltransformationofeconomies,whichinturnwillforce
ASEANMemberStatestoconfrontkeyissuesrelatedtojobgainsandlosses,skills
development,wages,labourmigrationandthestrengtheningofsocialprotectionsystems.
ThetruesuccessoftheAEC,however,willnotbereflectedineithertheAEC
implementationrateattheendof2015ortheextentthattheAECincreasesregionaltrade
andinvestment.ItwillultimatelydependonhowmucheachASEANcitizenprospers
fromdeepereconomicintegration.Whiletheeconomicandpoliticalsecuritydomains
havetakenprecedenceinpriorASEANinitiatives,thesocialandlabourdimensionsmay
nowbecritical
The handbook (ASEAN, 2013) lists the following benefits for tourism professionals
and the industry. The first benefit is facilitation of mobility of tourism professionals
based on tourism competency qualification/certificate. However, the regional
registration does not ensure job opportunity as the host country government has the
discretion whether to recognize the eligibility to work in the country.40 On the other
hand, regional recognition can help potential employers (e.g., hotels) find
professionals from other AMSs who meet certain standards by dramatically reducing
information costs.
There are other benefits aside from mobility of professionals (ASEAN, 2013): (1)
enhance conformity of competency-based training/education, (2) recognize skills of
tourism professionals, (3) improve the quality of tourism human resources, and (4)
enhance the quality of tourism services
One of the challenges in facilitating the movement of natural persons, either
professionals or skilled labour, is the differences in national qualifications across
countries. Such qualifications cover not only the licensing and certification aspects
but also broader qualifications such as basic education, technical and vocational
training, and higher education
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the arrangement lays the foundation for the
certification of skills and qualifications of working tourism professionals from
different ASEAN countries.
Once fully integrated in 2015, ASEAN-certified tourism professionals who pass the
common competency standards may find employment in various divisions of labor
that are common across various sectors of tourism in member countries, he said.
A tourism professional has to accomplish a set of basic requirements to be qualified
for a particular job.
In effect the program seeks to develop the skills of tourism students or graduates in
the Philippines to enable them to find jobs in any ASEAN member state, said
Jimenez.
He noted that ASEAN tourism sector can greatly contribute to the regional economy
if its attractiveness is accompanied by quality of service.
Having high-skilled tourism workers to deliver services should become a norm to
guarantee satisfaction of tourists visiting the region, said the tourism chief.