VIENTIANE (ILO News) – The International Labour Organization (ILO) and Lao People’s Democratic Republic will continue their efforts to advance equal decent and productive work opportunities for women and men following the signing of a new five-year Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP).

The DWCP will focus on a number of key areas including building an inclusive social protection system, migrant worker rights, employment promotion for rural women and men as well as skills development.

Representatives of the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and the Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) signed the DWCP at a ceremony held in Vientiane today (16 June 2022). Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment H.E. Dr. Sathabandith Insisiengmai, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare H.E. Mr. Phongsaysack Inthalath, Vice President of LFTU H.E. Mr. Vilay Vongkhaseurm and Vice President of LNCCI Mr. Daovone Phachanthavong inked the document.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has put at risk the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s hard-won development gains of the last decade and hinders its progress towards the SDGs and its ambitions for upper-middle-income status,” said H.E. Dr. Sathabandith Insisiengmai, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment. He also stressed that an inclusive and sustainable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in line with the 9th NSEDP will encompass decent work, social protection and skills development, among other relevant areas.

The Director of the ILO Country Office for Thailand, Cambodia and Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mr. Graeme Buckley, said: “The ILO is committed to supporting Lao People’s Democratic Republic as it overcomes and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new Decent Work Country Programme is a continuation of the good work carried out to date and will bring sustainable and inclusive benefits to workers, employers and the nation alike.”

The DWCP covers the period 2022-2026 and builds on the progress, partnerships and lessons of two earlier DWCPs. It is designed to support the implementation of the decent work elements in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP), 2021–2025 as well as contribute to the longer-term realization of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s Vision 2030, the National Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Roadmap, and to relevant national laws, policies, strategies and plans. The DWCP further aligns with the ILO Global Call to Action for a Human-centred Recovery from the COVID-19 crisis that is inclusive, sustainable and resilient.

Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) are the main vehicle for delivery of ILO support to countries. DWCPs promote decent work as a key component of national development strategies. At the same time they organize ILO knowledge, instruments, advocacy and cooperation at the service of ILO’s government, employer and worker constituents.

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 Coordinator for Lao People Democratic Republic
Tel.: +856 20 5662 1760
Email: khemphone@ilo.org