Laos has suspended the approval of new work permits, labor import plans and labor projects for Bangladeshi nationals nationwide from 1 September through the end of 2026, the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare announced.
In a directive issued on 9 September, the ministry said the measure aims to curb illegal entry, human smuggling, unauthorized labor brokers and employers who evade responsibility for workers they bring into the country, although the directive did not specify clear reasons behind the Bangladeshi nationality focus.
Major government-approved priority projects with fixed contract schedules remain exempt from the freeze.
The order bars individuals, companies, employers and labor operators from independently authorizing the entry or employment of Bangladeshi nationals. Authorities have also stopped approving Labor Visa (LA-B2) permits for them through the end of 2026.
Violators face fines, mandatory deportation and possible revocation of their business licenses.
Employers who import or employ workers without authorization face a fine of LAK 2.5 million (USD 110) per worker per violation. The same fine applies to those who import workforce for redistribution to other labor units.
A LAK 2 million (USD 89) fine applies to employers who use or accept workers assigned to a different labor unit, with the penalty imposed per worker per violation.
Workers who move to unauthorized worksites without permission face a LAK 1 million (USD 44) fine per person per instance and deportation within 30 days. The employer or other violator must cover all deportation and travel costs.
Repeat violations within the same category triple the fine and may lead to legal prosecution.
The order does not specify the current number of Bangladeshi workers employed in Laos or identify the sectors most affected by the freeze. Labor migration from Bangladesh to Laos has historically focused on construction and manufacturing.
