VIENTIANE: Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare officials are working to increase understanding about the need to wipe out discrimination in the workplace, including gender-based abuse.
Efforts in this direction received a boost on Wednesday (Jan 21) through a meeting to discuss the draft of a training module and communication tools on the elimination of discrimination in the world of work.
Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Director General of the ministry’s Department of Labour Management, Khamphat Onlasy, said the aim of the meeting was to better protect workers from all forms of abuse and discrimination, and to put an end to child labour, while also helping Laos to comply with international labour standards.
The meeting was supported by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) under a project to eliminate discrimination in the workplace, harassment, and child labour in Laos.
Discussions aimed to gather feedback, comments, and recommendations from stakeholders to improve the draft manual, ensuring that its content is appropriate and well aligned with the Lao context, and effective for practical implementation.
ILO experts facilitated exchanges of views on issues related to discrimination and equality in employment; the promotion of gender equality in terms of opportunities and treatment; violence and harassment in the world of work; practical and safe tools for human resource managers; and the development of a culture of respect, including relevant policies, procedures, and the promotion of rights.
Development of the training manual and communication tools aims to enhance understanding about ILO Convention No. 111 on Discrimination (Employment and Occupation), as well as related legal frameworks.
This will ensure that implementation approaches and priorities are consistent with the objectives of the ILO project.
Khamphat said the manual would serve as an important reference for the ongoing revision of the Labour Law, particularly in incorporating the provisions of ILO Convention No. 111 into national legislation.
He encouraged meeting participants to actively listen, contribute ideas, and share experiences and lessons learned with experts to ensure that the training manual and communication tools are practical, effective, and aligned with the realities in Laos.
The project is being implemented by the ILO in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Lao Federation of Trade Unions.
It supports the National Plan of Action on the Elimination of Child Labour in Trade Sectors through awareness campaigns and sector-specific enforcement. - Vientiane Times/ANN
