Tripartite stakeholders in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) participated in a consultation workshop in Vientiane on 31 January to review the country’s legal framework on the recruitment of migrant workers in comparison with international labour standards.
The workshop was organized by the ILO and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to discuss the gaps identified between national legislation and the Private Employment Agencies Convention (No. 181), including with regard to regulation of recruitment agencies, protection of labour rights, and complaint mechanisms.
The workshop concluded with endorsement of most of the recommendations made for strengthening the legal framework and enforcement in the ILO gap analysis report. Lao stakeholders agreed to hold a follow-up meeting to further discuss the steps that would be necessary if the Government decides to move to ratify the convention.