KUALA LUMPUR - ASEAN is moving to deepen its collaboration with the World Bank as the region faces new disruptions in labour markets brought about by artificial intelligence (AI) and the growing reliance on gig employment. 

Deputy Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Liew Chin Tong said the shift in global work trends has placed increasing pressure on governments to safeguard livelihoods and ensure sustainable mobility within the workforce.

He said many in the region are turning to short-term gig jobs as industries struggle to create enough stable employment.

“In countries like Malaysia and Indonesia, many people are engaged in gig jobs, and societies are now facing a situation where AI is taking away some jobs,” he told Bernama after a bilateral meeting with World Bank Group vice president for East Asia and Pacific, Dr Carlos Felipe Jaramillo.

He added that ASEAN’s relatively young population presents both an advantage and a challenge as the region adjusts to new forms of work and cross-border movement of labour.

“While industries are not generating enough jobs, we still have a reasonably young population, so ASEAN has to deal with it,” he said.

The meeting was also attended by World Bank Group country director for the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, Dr Zafer Mustafaoglu, and World Bank Group country manager for Malaysia, Judith Anne Elizabeth Green.

Liew said the World Bank has shown strong interest in employment issues, having published several studies on labour and social protection.

He emphasised that ASEAN must work closely with the World Bank to benefit from its expertise in employment policy and workforce development.

“We must create better jobs, better pay, and create a sense of upward social mobility.

“So we have to do everything possible in order to ensure that we grow rich before we grow old in the next 20 years,” he said.

The bilateral discussion took place on the sidelines of the 47th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits, hosted by Malaysia from 26 to 28 October at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.