A new Migrant Worker Resource Centre inaugurated in Bokeo Province, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The joint ILO-UN Women Safe and Fair Programme, under the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to Eliminate Violence against Women and Girls, in collaboration with Bokeo Lao Federation of Trade Unions, opened a Migrant Worker Resource Centre in Bokeo, a northern province of Laos PDR on 22 July 2021.

News | 21 October 2021
VIENTIANE – Lao migrant workers, particularly women migrant workers including their family and community members in Bokeo and neighbouring provinces will benefit from a new Migrant Worker Resource Centre inaugurated on 22 July 2021.

This is the fifth Migrant Worker Resource Centre (MRC) in Lao PDR, where workers can find information about their rights, safe migration, decent work, and support services in destination countries, as well as access legal counseling and referral in Laos PDR and abroad.

Photo: ©ILO / Mongkon duangkhiew
Place: Bokeo province, Lao PDR
Description: Opening ceremony of the MRC.
“One of the most effective ways to protect Lao migrant workers from violence, abuse and exploitation, particularly non-payment or underpayment of wages and standard working conditions, is to ensure that they are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and strategies to secure their labour and human rights during their migration cycle,” said Ms. Khemphone Phaokhamkeo, the ILO Coordinator in Lao PDR.

The Bokeo MRC, is operated by the Bokeo Lao Federation of Trade Unions (BKLFTU). The Safe and Fair programme is supporting its operation, ensuring that workers, especially women, seeking jobs overseas can get up to date information and counselling before making a decision about migrating. Returning Laotian women migrants can find information about opportunities for vocational training or possibilities of re-migrating. Women migrant workers, in particular, are also able to report cases of exploitation or violence and receive referrals as needed. The MRC will also work in close collaboration with the legal aid centre, provincial job centre and civil society organizations working in Bokeo province.

The inauguration of the MRC was presided over by the Permanent Committee’s Party, Vice Governor of Bokeo province, Mr Khamphaya Phompanya; Vice President of LFTU, Mr Ponesane Vilayment; together with the European Union (EU) Representative to Lao PDR, Mr François Pravongviengkham; the President of the Bokeo LFTU, Mr Southit Mitsamephane; and the ILO Coordinator for Lao PDR, Ms Khemphone Phaokhamkeo.

Mr Southit Mitsamephane emphasized the LFTU’s role in protecting the rights, interests and safe employment of Lao workers, including women migrant workers. He thanked the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative for its support to LFTU’s efforts to provide migration information to Lao workers.

It is estimated that there are 1.5 million Lao nationals living abroad, of whom over half are women. Thailand is the largest country of destination for Lao migrant workers. Lao migrant workers in Thailand are predominantly employed in domestic work, construction, manufacturing, agriculture and entertainment work, mainly in neighbouring border provinces and larger cities, and Bokeo is one of the provinces that shares a border with Thailand.

Remittances from migrant workers are a significant source of income within Lao PDR. An estimated US$285 million in remittances was received in 2019 according to the World Bank.

Photo: © ILO / Mongkon duangkhiew
Place: Bokeo province, Lao PDR
Description: Vice governor of Bokeo province, Mr Khamphaya Phompanya and Vice President of LFTU, Mr Ponesane Vilaymentat the MRC opening ceremony.

For more information please contact:
Mr Viengprasith Thiphasouda, National Programme Coordinator for Lao PDR, Safe and Fair Programme
Tel: +856 20 22 207 224
Email: thiphasouda@ilo.org

Mr Pichit Phromkade, Communications Officer, Safe and Fair Programme
ILO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific
Tel: +66 2 288 1762
Email: phromkade@ilo.org