Officials to register foreign workers in Vientiane
A pilot programme will be launched in Vientiane to register both legal and illegal foreign workers, before extending the project to the provinces, a senior government official said yesterday.
The programme aims to address the longstanding problem of undocumented foreign workers in Laos. A recent nationwide survey suggested there are more than 54,000 foreign workers but most people believe the true figure is much higher.
Director General of the Labour Management Department, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Khamkhane Phinsavanh told the Vientiane Times that officials met in Vientiane on Monday and agreed to the pilot programme.
But a further meeting with the Vientiane Leading Committee is needed to seek suggestions on how to implement the scheme.
“The meeting is expected to be held in the middle of this month,” Mr Khamkhane said.
Monday's meeting was attended by representatives from the ministries of Home Affairs, Labour and Social Welfare, Planning and Investment and Public Security, along with officials from the Vientiane authorities and the Government Office.
Participants agreed in principle that meetings with district and village authorities should also be held to explain the programme to local officials who will carry out the work.
“We have tried to address this issue at the central level, but it did not work,” Mr Khamkhane admitted.
Monday's meeting also agreed on the planned launch of a two-month registration programme in district offices starting in June.
Workers will also be required to undertake further registration in Vientiane. A worker is required to register at both the district and Vientiane offices.
Registration at the district office gives illegal workers two months to prepare the documents required to apply for a work permit for submission to the Vientiane office, to establish their legal status.
“Officials attending the Monday meeting agreed on these general principles to address the issue. However, further revision could be made in accordance with the recommendations from the meeting with the Vientiane committee,” Mr Khamkhane said.
It has been reported that illegal foreign workers (mostly from neighbouring countries) gain entry to Laos in various ways. Some are hired by investment projects but do not leave after the project ends and instead seek other employment, even though their visa is invalid. Others enter the co untry on a visitor's visa to visit relatives and then take up work here.
Local people have complained that many of these illegal immigrants are taking jobs that they are entitled to, and work as hawkers and hairdressers among other occupations.
