VIENTIANE: A new five-year initiative will strengthen labour rights, social protection and working conditions for about 32,000 workers and small-scale producers in Laos’ coffee, tea and forestry sectors.
The “Reducing Vulnerability in Lao PDR: Advancing Social Protection and Labour Rights and Entitlements in the Coffee, Tea and Forestry sectors – Phase II (SOLAR II)” project was officially launched in Vientiane on September 29.
Funded by the European Union (EU) and led by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the initiative will be implemented from 2026 to 2030 with a budget of 3.5 million Euros.
The project will expand approaches developed under the first phase of SOLAR, which reached more than 12,600 farmers in southern Laos between 2021 and 2024 and helped improve their understanding of social security, occupational safety and health, and gender equality.
The first phase also facilitated the enrolment of 806 workers in the National Social Security Fund.
Under SOLAR II, activities will be expanded to 16 districts across seven northern and central provinces, with at least 50 per cent of beneficiaries expected to be women and 25 per cent members of ethnic communities.
The project will focus on four key areas: improving access to social security; promoting safer and healthier workplaces; strengthening collective representation and social dialogue; and advancing gender equality and inclusion.
Implemented by the ILO and Oxfam in partnership with government institutions, workers’ and employers’ organisations and civil society, the project will seek to strengthen grassroots services, build the capacity of key stakeholders, and empower local communities.
A Cooperation Agreement was signed during the launch by the ILO, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, reaffirming their commitment to promoting decent work and social protection.
Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Keo Chanthavixay said labour rights and social protection are important foundations for decent work and sustainable development.
“Through our collaboration with development partners and national and local stakeholders, we aim to strengthen service delivery and expand access to social protection, particularly for workers in agriculture and forestry value chains,” she said.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Laos Mark Gallagher said the EU is supporting Laos through its Global Gateway strategy and flagship Team Europe Partnership for Sustainable and Inclusive Trade, Investment and Connectivity in the Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (TICAF).
“SOLAR II complements investments in value chains by strengthening the human dimension of sustainable development – helping workers and their families to be safer, better protected, and better equipped to face challenges,” he said.
ILO Deputy Director for Laos Lars Johansen said the second phase would build on the experience of SOLAR I, particularly the importance of working closely with local institutions and strengthening capacity at the local level.
The project will seek to improve workers’ access to information and services and enable more people to benefit from labour rights and social protection systems, he said.
Following the launch, the first meeting of the Project Advisory Committee brought together representatives of the government, workers, employers and civil society organisations.
A technical workshop held on September 30 further examined challenges facing the project’s target beneficiaries and practical approaches to implementation. - Vientiane Times/ANN
