The “ASEAN Way” in Migration Governance

Migration governance in Asia is intriguing as, on the one hand, many Asian states have refused to be part of international migration conventions, but on the other have made efforts towards cooperation at a regional or sub-regional level. In the case of Southeast Asian countries, commitments to regional frameworks and instruments have largely been ceremonial, as member-states maintain a disengaged stance even as both labour-sending and labour-receiving countries pursue bilateral cooperation. This chapter explores the complex migration governance mechanisms in Southeast Asia, highlighting the particular roles of national governments, civil society organisations, migrant workers and private recruitment agencies as well as the nuances that exist in between these actors. The limits and potential of “contestations from below” are also discussed, with the incompatibility of the “ethical recruitment” campaign and human rights advocacy pointed out.