Pickers in a turnip field in the Republic of Korea. --Photo Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

Laos seeks higher age limit, married couples’ quota for farm workers in Korea

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is looking to raise the age limit for Lao farm workers employed in the Republic of Korea and to introduce a quota for married couples wishing to work together.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Mr Phongsaisack Inthalath  raised these issues during talks with the Vice Chairman of the Seongju County Council in Korea, Mr Jang Ik-bong, and his delegation in Vientiane on Monday.
They reviewed the seasonal farm worker programme and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the ministry’s Department of Employment and Seongju County.
The two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding in November 2003 on the provision of seasonal workers, with the first cohort of Lao citizens taking up jobs in Seongju County in 2024.
According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, 153 Lao citizens were dispatched to Seongju County in 2024, rising to 1,292 in 2025 and 1,333 in 2026.
Farm workers are recruited from various provinces in Laos, with preference given to applicants with experience in crop cultivation.
It was noted that Seongju County’s demand for Lao farm workers had continued to increase, particularly for male workers. Employers in the county have generally complied with employment regulations and maintained close supervision of workers, helping to minimise disputes.
However, Mr Phongsaisack made recommendations to improve worker welfare and broaden recruitment opportunities.
He also suggested providing workers with drinking water, portable personal fans or other cooling equipment to help them cope with high temperatures.
Regarding recruitment criteria, the Lao delegation proposed raising the maximum age limit to 45 for men and 40 for women. The proposal reflects the high demand for male workers and aims to broaden the pool of eligible applicants.
Mr Phongsaisack also proposed a quota for married couples, as many male applicants prefer to travel and work alongside their wives.
The proposed changes to the age limits and the introduction of a couples’ quota remain subject to consideration by the Republic of Korea.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has so far signed seasonal labour deployment agreements with 28 cities in Korea. Under these arrangements, Lao workers are employed for periods of 90 days or five months, mainly in agriculture and fisheries.
Since April 2022, the Department of Employment has arranged for 434 farm workers to take up jobs in Korea’s Gyeongsangnam-do Province.
There are currently 97,799 Lao nationals working abroad. Thailand hosts the largest number, at 51,728, while 626 Lao nationals work in Japan and a further 969 in the Republic of Korea.
Laos ranks seventh among ASEAN countries in terms of the number of nationals employed in the Republic of Korea. Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia are among the leading countries, with 55,795, 26,217 and 24,732 workers respectively employed in Korea.

By Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
 (Latest Update October 16, 2026)