The ILO Ship to Shore Rights SEA programme supported the establishment of a new migrant worker resource centre (MRC), operated by the Provincial Department of Labour and Social Welfare in Bolikhamxay province.
To date, the ILO has supported the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare and the Lao Federation of Trade Unions to run five MRCs located in Champassak, Luang Prabang, Sayaboury, Savannakhet and Bokeo. As a major province of origin, there is a need to expand the geographic scope of information and support services to potential and return migrant workers in Bolikhamxay province.
The overall goal of the MRC is to increase the opportunities for safe migration into decent work and sustainable return and reintegration for women and men migrant workers in the province. The MRC will also achieve four immediate objectives:
- Improving coordination and capacity of delivering key information and support services;
- Increasing access to services and peer support for potential migrant workers and their family members;
- Raising awareness on safe migration, violence against women and rights at work within migrant communities of origin;
- Enhancing livelihood opportunities for returning migrant workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
