What is the main goal of the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework?

The main goal of the ASEAN Qualifications Reference Framework (AQRF) is to create a single market and production base within the region. This framework is designed to facilitate greater mobility of skilled labor across ASEAN member countries, ensuring that qualifications are recognized and comparable across borders. By establishing a common reference framework, it aims to enhance the integration of the labor market, allowing individuals to pursue opportunities in different member states without facing barriers due to differing qualification standards. This alignment not only benefits the workers by providing them with more extensive employment options but also supports economic growth within the region by fostering collaboration and labor exchanges among countries.

The other options do not capture the essence of the AQRF's primary goal. Enhancing national labor laws and reducing government regulations may play a role in labor mobility but are not the fundamental objective of the AQRF. Similarly, increasing competition among countries could be a byproduct of the framework, but the primary focus remains on standardizing qualifications to facilitate workforce mobility rather than fostering competition directly.