Local workers will benefit from the efforts of the Lao Employment Business Association to inform labour about their rights, especially when it comes to negotiating working conditions.

Mr Bounthieng Rattanavong  explains the benefits provided by the Employment Association. (File photo)

The association represents employment agencies of Laos recognised by the government. For several years, workers did not have their rights protected or were unable to negotiate properly with employers and local authorities because they were not members of an employment association.

The Chairman of the Lao Employment Business Association, Mr Bounthieng Rattanavong, said in a recent interview with the Lao media that local workers who want to travel abroad must be more careful so that they do not fall prey to a bad group of recruiters, who claim they can recruit people for foreign jobs. Many people have become victims of the schemes of this group, he said.

He said the association provides opportunities and platforms for workers by harnessing the experiences of the employment agency expert community, and sharing management strategies. It is also involved in policy-making, identifying the latest trends and jointly creating new solutions to improve the labour market.

“We are the one voice representing employment agencies in Laos and we represent and promote the interests and concerns of members on matters relating to their business. We also raise professionalism and uphold the image of employment agencies in the industry,” he said.

The association gathers the best experts from the industry and the most insightful thought leaders, service providers and business owners to benefit from their experiences. “We bring the best to our stakeholders and thrive for the highest standards and a cohesive voice for all,” he added.
The association will lead the industry to new heights in human resource services, including agency work, direct recruitment, career management, recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), and managed service provider (MSP).

A senior official from the  Department of Labour Protection under the Lao Federation of Trade Unions said an increasing number of workers are not fairly treated by their employers, though the extent of the problem is difficult to judge as the government doesn’t keep statistics on the matter and also because representatives of employment agencies in Laos are not involved in negotiating working conditions.
The Lao Employment Business Association plays an important role in providing information on employment agencies to all interested parties, both locally and overseas. It is also involved in developing new sources for employment agencies to recruit workers and is actively engaged in projects and activities aimed at fostering better industry practices.

The government wants more workers to seek legal services regarding their rights, but many are unable to do so because the heads of labour associations lack the knowledge and capacity to negotiate with factory managers and business owners.