Minister of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare Baikham Khattiya announced a series of measures to tackle the labor shortage during the seventh National Assembly meeting held on 13 June.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Lao Federation of Trade Unions and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has been consulting with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other relevant organizations to address this issue.
To resolve the labor shortage, the ministry is enhancing employer engagement by working closely with labor exporters and employers. This collaboration aims to improve engagement and increase consultations with investors to provide timely labor market information, adapt training methods, announce job openings, and ensure workers receive protection under labor and social security laws.
A key initiative involves consulting with relevant sectors to adjust wages, aiming to attract more workers and raise their standard of living. The proper wage to match current economic conditions is LAK 3,800,000, according to the Minister. Nevertheless, workers typically receive an average of LAK 2,700,000 from employers, which exceeds the minimum wage.
Additionally, the ministry plans to organize central labor meetings to address the high demand for laborers. These meetings will bring together employees and employers to discuss labor needs and find solutions to the shortage. Furthermore, the ministry is taking steps to prevent illegal working abroad by supporting individuals seeking legal employment opportunities abroad. By fostering new working skills, the ministry aims to empower returning workers to apply their expertise effectively.
These initiatives are designed to create a strong labor market at a national level, providing more job opportunities and ensuring fair wages for Lao workers. Organizing central labor meetings and supporting legal employment abroad will further strengthen the workforce, contributing to the country’s labor market and economic growth, according to the labor ministry.
