Labour Inspectors and garment sector meet to improve worker-employer communication
Representatives from garment factories and Labour Inspectors have begun a collaboration programme designed to improve communication, foster knowledge of labour laws and solve industry problems
Vientiane (ILO NEWS) – Representatives from garment factories and Labour Inspectors have begun a collaboration programme designed to improve communication, foster knowledge of labour laws and solve industry problems.
The programme is part of an ILO project, Compliance through Inspection and Dialogue, which aims to improve working conditions, productivity and competitiveness in the Lao PDR garment manufacturing sector by strengthening the national labour inspection system, protecting workers’ rights and improving the garment industry’s competitiveness in global supply chains.
Labour Inspectors from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) will work with factories utilising innovative tools to improve communication mechanisms between workers and employers. Labour Inspectors can provide training on labour law rights and obligations and assist factories to identify risks and problem solve.
Representatives from 12 factories that have volunteered to take part in the project attended a workshop on 4 November 2015 in Vientiane to begin their collaboration with the labour inspectorate.
Trimax garment factory manager, Mrs Mukda Keawsuttian, said that she welcomed the opportunity to participate in the project and was motivated to volunteer to develop her team members’ knowledge and skills in managing the factory.
Mr Konesavanh Suthanavong, who was representing workers from Aliplao, said that after participating in the workshop he could see the benefits of effective workplace communication. He added that his team now had a better understanding on approaches to better manage productivity and quality in the workplace, which could result in a reduction of overtime hours required.
The garment sector is Lao PDR’s largest manufacturing employer and makes a significant contribution to annual national exports. Around 30,000 workers are employed by about 60 exporting factories and 45 subcontracting firms, with production mainly in and around the capital, Vientiane.
This project is financed by a multi-donor trust fund grant with contributions from the United States, Australia, the European Union, Germany, Ireland and a grant from the World Bank/International Development Association under the Lao PDR Second Trade Facility Project.
The ILO is the specialized agency of the United Nations that deals with labour and work-related issues. The ILO’s unique tripartite structure brings together representatives of governments, workers and employers to jointly shape policies and programmes, with the aim of promoting Decent Work for All. In the context of this project, the tripartite constituents are represented by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Association of the Lao Garment Industry.
For more information about the project, ‘Improving the Garment Sector in Lao PDR’, please contact Ms Madeleine Jones on 020 7853 6636 or Ms Sommany Sihathep on 020 525 5895.
For more information please contact:
Ms Madeleine JonesChief Technical Advisor
Improving the Garment Sector in Lao PDR:
Compliance through Inspection and Dialogue
Tel: 856 20 7853 6636