ABSTRACT
In September 1997, ministers of human resource development (HRD) from 18 members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), a regional body founded in 1989 and consists of governments of 21 states in the Asia Pacific, gathered in Seoul, South Korea to discuss APEC's work related to labour force development. This chapter attempts to answer the following questions: why did APEC ministers call for and ratify labour participation in APEC's HRD activities? what challenges might labour organizations face should they decide to participate in the HRD WG? It examines the interaction of the international labour movement with APEC, with particular focus on APEC's HRD Working Group. The chapter summarizes the problems and potential for labour organizations working within APEC. The potential for labour issues being including within APEC poses some significant challenges for the labour movement. APEC's higher profile subsequent to the Seattle summit also drew the attention of the international labour movement.
