Laos, Thailand cement ongoing cooperation in labour sector

Lao and Thai officials have agreed to continue cooperating in the labour sector aiming to ensure the legal status of Lao workers who can prove their identity in Thailand.
Meanwhile, Lao authorities have promised to help illegal workers wanting to return home to acquire passports so they can be legally re-employed in Thailand.

The two parties also agreed to work together to protect the rights and benefits of Lao workers in Thailand.
An agreement was signed recently by Director General of the Department of Labour Skill Development at the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Ms Anousone Khamsingsavath and a Thai Ministry of Labour representative.
Ms Anousone said signing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) would continue to promote the strong relationship between the Lao and Thai governments, both of which were determined to develop multifaceted labour cooperation.
The MOU will also support Laos’ role in exchanging experiences and operations, create allies at the regional level and contribute towards determining directions on international labour policies in a tripartite and regional system in the future.
The two countries will boost the protection of rights and maximise gains to the workforce as legally entitled in each country to determine foundational principles relevant to labour collaboration. This comprises workforce development, employment, labour protection, social security foundations, human trafficking prevention, academic cooperation and collaboration on other issues.
Under the agreement, the two nations will exchange knowledge about various systems such as education, research, expertise and information in multiple fields including employment and labour laws.
Other initiatives include the promotion of visits between relevant parties and experts, exchange of information to prevent illegal employment and human trafficking, cooperation on skills training to strengthen management capacities of trainers and skills development officers, as well as increasing workforce productivity.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
(Latest Update June 22, 2019)