H.E. Ina Marčiulionytė, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and H.E. Baykham Khattiya, Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, visited Champassak province on 19 May. The field visit provided an opportunity to observe the activities of the Ship to Shore Rights South East Asia programme, implemented by the International Labour Organization with financial support from the EU.
The delegates visited the Migrant Assistance Office in Champassak province, operated by Village Focus International. The Migrant Assistance Office delivers direct assistance to deported migrant workers to support them to return home safely. As part of the visit, the delegates participated in a round-table discussion to hear about the experiences of migrant workers who received support from Village Focus International and the challenges they experienced while working abroad and upon returning home.
“While labour migration can be a powerful tool to empower migrant workers, it also brings challenges with ensuring decent working conditions and protection of workers’ rights. Safe labour migration and labour rights protection are core values of the EU and part of the EU’s strong commitment to human rights, decent work, and sustainability. The EU is committed to expanding safe migration for decent work for Lao migrant workers through its partnership with the Lao Government and the International Labour Organization,” said H.E. Ina Marčiulionytė, EU Ambassador to Lao PDR.
