VIENTIANE: Lao migrant workers sent home an estimated US$366 million in the first six months of this year, according to figures released by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
The ministry reported steady progress in worker migration over the past five years, with 350,567 Lao nationals working abroad between 2021 and 2025.
Of the total remittances, US$32.5 million was transferred through the banking system, including US$8.3 million sent via the Indochina Bank and US$24.2 million through the Lao Foreign Trade Bank.
The update was shared during a meeting on safe and legal overseas employment, held this week at the Khammuan Technical and Vocational College.
The meeting was co-chaired by a member of the Provincial Party Committee, Sinnason Sengchanthavong, and Deputy Director of the Department of Employment under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Vanny Keovongxay.
Vanny said overseas employment continues to provide important economic opportunities for Lao citizens, while remittances remain a vital source of income for families and national development.
The ministry will continue cooperating with partner countries and relevant sectors to ensure safe, legal, and productive migration pathways for Lao workers.
Meeting co-chairs highlighted the importance of providing accurate information on migration procedures to people seeking jobs in other countries such as Thailand, Japan and South Korea, to help them avoid fraudulent recruitment and unsafe migration channels.
Speakers noted that worker migration is a global phenomenon driven by the search for better wages, improved living conditions, and economic stability.
Factors such as poverty, harsh weather conditions, environmental degradation, political instability, and conflict also contribute to the growing number of migrant workers.
Despite the opportunities offered, many migrants still face unsafe working conditions, exploitation, rights violations, and the risk of human trafficking.
To address these challenges, the government has strengthened laws and regulations related to employment services and migration, while improving cooperation with Thailand, South Korea and Japan.
The government has also opened more information and employment centres. There are currently 48 employment service enterprises, 18 provincial service centres, 41 district-level job service points, six migrant information centres, and one migrant worker assistance centre operating across the country.
The meeting was part of the PROMISE II project (Poverty Reduction through Safe Migration, Skills Development, and Employment), supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The project, implemented from 2021 to 2025, promotes safe migration, human trafficking prevention, and improved worker mobility.
Participants received materials on safe and legal migration, as well as guidance on the legal procedures for working abroad. The event also included surveys, interactive discussions, Q&A sessions, and quiz-based learning activities, which actively engaged all participants. - Vientiane Times/ANN
