ILO Assistant Director-General and Asia-Pacific Regional Director makes first visit to Lao People's Democratic Republic

The International Labour Organization’s ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Yoshiteru Uramoto, has made his first official visit to Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Press release | Vientiane, Lao People's Democratic Republic | 07 May 2014
VIENTIANE (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Mr Yoshiteru Uramoto, has made his first official visit to Lao People Democratic Republic.

During his stay, from 5-7 May 2014, Mr Uramoto met senior officials of the ILO’s tripartite constituents in Lao People Democratic Republic, including representatives of the Government, Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU), and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), to discuss national social and labour issues as well as regional matters, including developments within ASEAN.

Mr Uramoto followed up on the recent Mid Term Review of Lao People Democratic Republic’s first Decent Work Country Programme, conducted by the tripartite constituents in partnership with the ILO. Mr Uramoto also updated the constituents on preparations for the forthcoming International Labour Conference, which will take place from 22 May to 13 June 2014 in Geneva, Switzerland.

During a meeting with H.E. Ms Baykham Khattiya, the Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), Mr Uramoto discussed the ILO’s expanded support to Lao People Democratic Republic in a number of increasingly important areas, including rural employment promotion, social protection, labour compliance in the garment sector and initiatives to strengthen tripartism and labour market governance.. Mr Uramoto discussed with the Vice Minister the Ministry’s efforts to develop labour-related legislation, including the recently adopted Social Security Law and the revised Labour Law which is presently under consideration. He underlined the importance of ensuring that the new Labour Law was in line with the ILO conventions already ratified by Laos, and he emphasized the benefits of ratifying other conventions covering core labour standards.

Mr Uramoto also expressed the ILO’s appreciation for MoLSW’s leadership (in cooperation and coordination with the LFTU and the LNCCI) in implementing the country’s first-ever Decent Work Country Programme (2011-15).

“The impressive economic growth seen in this region and elsewhere has unfortunately been accompanied by disturbing rises in inequality and a lack of social justice in many countries and communities,” said Mr Uramoto. As a result, he said, many countries are placing an increasing emphasis on a more inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth model that places decent work at the center of its national development strategy “We hope that Lao People Democratic Republic will advance with its programme of labour market reforms to expand and sustain employment, rights at work and social protection,” Mr Uramoto added.

During his visit, Mr Uramoto also held talks with H.E. Mr Alounkeo Kittikhoun, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Ms Khammani Pholsena, the Minister of Industry and Commerce; Dr Sananh Chounlamany, Vice President of LNCCI; H.E Mr Somchit Inthamith, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Investment; and H.E. Mr Tongye yang yong xeng, Vice President of LFTU.

Background information


Mr Yoshiteru Uramoto (Japan) took up his post as ILO Assistant Director-General and Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific in October 2012. The Regional Office is based in Bangkok and supports ILO work in 34 member countries in Asia-Pacific, from Afghanistan to the Pacific Islands. Until 2011 Mr Uramoto served as Deputy Director-General of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Prior to that, he spent 27 years with UNICEF, working in Timor Leste, Japan, New York, the former Republic of Yugoslavia (Croatia), India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Sudan, among other countries. Mr Uramoto also held the position of Global Studies graduate professor, teaching at Sophia University, Tokyo.

The ILO is the United Nations specialized agency that deals with labour and work-related issues. The ILO’s unique tripartite structure brings together representatives of governments, employers and workers to jointly shape policies and programmes, with the aim of promoting Decent Work for All. In Lao People Democratic Republic, these tripartite constituents are represented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

For more information please contact:


Ms Khemphone Phaokhamkeo
ILO National Coordinator in Lao People Democratic Republic
Tel.: +856 20 5662 1760
Email