Strengthening the national system for OSH data collection in Lao People's Democratic Republic

VIENTIANE (ILO News) - In a collaborative effort, government, workers' and employers' organizations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are making significant strides towards improving workplace conditions through the development of an enhanced system for the collection and use of data on occupational accidents and diseases.

A workshop on “Strengthening the Capacity of Lao People’s Democratic Republic on the National System for OSH Data Collection”, held in Vientiane on 21 May 2024, discussed a roadmap for enhancing the national and workplace-level occupational safety and health (OSH) data collection system.

Jointly organized by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW) and the ILO, through the ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, this initiative aimed to improve the reporting, recording, and notification of workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

Taking part were representatives from MoLSW, Lao Federation Trade Union (LFTU), Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), and relevant government agencies.

"We discussed ways to formulate a plan or activity that will move towards a systematic collection and reporting system that can be used in a uniform manner, where the people who will participate in the actual analysis are the workers themselves," said Khamchanh Syvanthong, Director General of the Department of Labour Protection, LFTU.

The workshop saw participants review the progress made since the last workshop in May 2023 and propose priorities, including raising awareness, strengthening OSH committees at the national and workplace levels, and establishing inter-agency coordination mechanisms and a common database.

© ILO

© ILO