JAKARTA - Lao labour authorities registered and issued temporary work permits to 5,163 undocumented foreign workers after identifying 10,762 people, the state-owned Lao News Agency reported on June 24.
The figures were presented at a Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare meeting in Vientiane on June 23–24. The workers given temporary permits included 1,635 women, according to ministry data cited by KPL.
The result covered about 48 percent of the undocumented foreign workers authorities identified in 2024. Officials said the figure fell short of expectations and showed continuing problems in locating workers and collecting reliable labour data.
The programme focused on foreign nationals working without authorisation in jobs where labour demand remains high. KPL listed construction, repair services, beauty services and food preparation among the sectors covered. The programme ran from July 1, 2025, through April 30, 2026.
Deputy Labour and Social Welfare Minister Phongxaysack Inthalath said Laos is facing a labour shortage as more foreign workers enter the country, both legally and without documents. He said many of the workers came from Bangladesh, Myanmar, India and other countries.
Phongxaysack called for stronger inspections and closer coordination with other government agencies to curb illegal employment. Officials linked the issue to unfair competition with Lao workers, social problems and lost state revenue when workers remain outside the formal system.
The figures point to a structural weakness in Laos’ foreign-worker administration. A 2020 ASEAN-backed Lao PDR national report said, “There is no one stop service for foreign worker,” with work permits, stay permits and labour visas handled through separate government channels.
That division can slow the formalisation of migrant labour. The report said the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is responsible for foreign worker registration and work permits, the Ministry of Public Security handles stay permits, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handles labour visas.
Foreign labour has become more visible in Laos since the country opened its economy in the late 1980s. The same report said the government recognises demand for migrant workers and skilled foreign labour because some projects and businesses cannot fill all positions with Lao workers.
