As societies grow older, their needs too evolve, with greater pressure on care systems being widely acknowledged as a critical issue. Broadly, care work involves supporting the physical, mental and development needs of people either directly or indirectly, while a care system refers to its overall organization (UN, 2024). Care is an integral component of the world of work. When care needs are sufficiently met, it can lead to better health and wellbeing outcomes and allow people to reach their full potential in productive work. Caring is in turn also a form of work in both paid and unpaid capacities, whether it is performed within or outside the home. 
As societies grow older, their needs too evolve, with greater pressure on care systems being widely acknowledged as a critical issue. Broadly, care work involves supporting the physical, mental and development needs of people either directly or indirectly, while a care system refers to its overall organization (UN, 2024). Care is an integral component of the world of work. When care needs are sufficiently met, it can lead to better health and wellbeing outcomes and allow people to reach their full potential in productive work. Caring is in turn also a form of work in both paid and unpaid capacities, whether it is performed within or outside the home. 
From 9–12 June 2026, FutureWORKS Asia convened its annual Network Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand, bringing together researchers from both cycles of funded projects for the first time. While Cycle 1 teams were nearing the completion of their research and beginning to translate their findings into policy recommendations, Cycle 2 teams were in the early stages of their research. Bringing these groups together created an opportunity to exchange experiences, strengthen ongoing research and foster new collaborations. 
The rapid technological advancement and Artificial Intelligence (AI) have become synonymous with conversations about the future of work. Headlines often focus on which jobs are at risk and how quickly technology will replace workers. But the reality is far more complex. On 11 June 2026, researchers and practitioners from across Asia gathered at the Pullman King Power in Bangkok for a knowledge-sharing session hosted by LIRNEasia and the Regional Economic and Social Analysis Unit (RESA) of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific. The session explored how AI, digital transformation and platform work are reshaping labour markets – and what this means for workers, businesses and governments. 
On 20th of August 2025, LIRNEasia, together with the Centre for Poverty Analysis (CEPA) and the Sri Lanka and Maldives office of the International Labour Organization (ILO) convened a policy roundtable discussion titled “Bridging Policy Pathways for an Inclusive Future of Work”. The roundtable brought together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors including policymakers, trade union and corporate representatives and practitioners, together with regional experts through the FutureWORKS Asia network, an initiative funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada. Regional experts included Selim Raihan (PhD) of SANEM, Cheryll Soriano (PhD) of the De La Salle University (Philippines), Jayvy Gamboa of Manila Observatory (Philippines), Towfiqul Islam Khan of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (Bangladesh), Balwant Mehta (PhD) of the Institute for Human Development (India), and Reiner Lorenzo Tomayo of Women in Global Health (Philippines), and Gayani Hurulle of LIRNEasia. Opening remarks were delivered by Joni Simpson of the International Labor Organization (Sri Lanka and the Maldives), with sub-themes of the discussion moderated by Helani Galpaya of LIRNEasia, Gayathri Lokuge (PhD) of CEPA, and Sabina Dewan of the JustJobs Network. The objective of the discussion was to explore critical policy themes shaping the future of work in […] 
LIRNEasia, with the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), is pleased to announce the second Call for Proposals under the FutureWORKS Asia initiative. We are inviting proposals for gender-responsive, solution-oriented, and policy-relevant applied research projects that will help shape a sustainable and inclusive future of work in Asia. As the Asia-Pacific region navigates the complex impacts of technological change, demographic shifts, and climate change, it is more critical than ever to ensure that evidence-based policy solutions guide our responses. The first round of research projects supported under FutureWORKS Asia focused on diagnosing key challenges facing workers and economies across the region. With this second call, the focus shifts toward generating actionable solutions.
We are pleased to announce that the selection round of the Cycle 1 of FutureWORKS Asia has officially concluded. After a thorough review process, we have selected five grantees who proposed innovative and impactful projects that address critical challenges and opportunities in the future of work to make it more inclusive and sustainable in the Global South. These projects will not only contribute to shaping policies and practices in their respective contexts but also serve as the foundation for building an Asian network focused on this vital area of research. Here are the selected projects and their organizations for this first round of funding: Opportunity and Resilience in the Philippine Platform Labor Economy: Policy Imperatives for Skills Development and Social Protection Amid Climate and Technological Change by De La Salle University – Social Development Research Center (Philippines) Digital Disruption and Climate Stress: Assessing Impacts on Nursing Work and Charting a Resilient, Equitable, and Gender-Responsive Work Landscape by Women in Global Health – Philippines (WGH-Ph) The Care Economy Roadmap for Sri Lanka – Charting the Way Forward by Centre for Poverty Analysis (Sri Lanka) Gender Implications of Future of Work in South Asia: Insights from the Garment Manufacturing in Bangladesh and India by […]