The ministry plans to repatriate workers who are found to have entered Laos with the intention of working illegally, who have no legal employer and who have overstayed their tourist visa .

“However, the issue will be dealt with in accordance with guidance from the government secretariat,” Mr Khamkhane said.

It is estimated that some 250,000 foreign nationals are working in Laos, of whom only about 50,000 have the required work permits, according to the ministry.

Provincial officials have previously called for a standardised solution to the matter, saying that currently many different sectors deal with the problem, leading to a lack of coordination and confusion between those involved.

Labour officials believe it is inappropriate to allow foreigners to engage in agricultural activities, as this work should be reserved for Lao citizens.

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/Free_Govt%20set.htm

That's quite a large number of illegal foreign workers.

I hope the government crackdown as soon as possible. Lao citizens need jobs too. I don't know how these people slip through the system. When i was living in Laos you need permit and paper work to traveling from city to city.
::)

Most of the foreign nationals are the Vietnamese and Chinese.

I don't think that someone from a western country will come to Laos to work illegally in agriculture for $100 a month.

i recall almost 7,000 hmongs fled laos into thailand back in 2005 and settled in HUAY NAM KHAO thailand so its really not that hard for foreigners to squeeze through the border when 7,000 primitive hmongs from the mountains manage to pull it off lolz, now that we reflect back on history its no wonder almost 7,000 hmongs flocked into thailand because as stated too many illegal foreigners are sucking up all the jobs. unfortunately thailand deported most of the hmongs who settle in that region back into communist laos and only god knows what happened to them. some say many were exterminated, some say many were treated humanely and were given land and now sport great big smiles YEA RIGHT LOLZ PLEASE LIKE WHO WOULD BELIEVE THAT? MOST LIKELY MOST OF THEM GOT KILLED SINCE MANY OF THEM WERE CLAIMING POLITICAL REFUGEE STATUS.

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 2^nd Jan, 2011 at 4:45am:

Most of the foreign nationals are the Vietnamese and Chinese. I don't think that someone from a western country will come to Laos to work illegally in agriculture for $100 a month.

Government has to crackdown and limit foreign worker. Most are hard worker, but who know how many are criminals, drug dealer. Ethnic Lao is only about 55%, 3.75 million in Laos. The 3.06 million are 49 ethnic minority. We can be overrun and outnumber easily in our own land by foreign worker if nothing is done.
:o

I don't know a lot about issue with Hmong Lao settlement in Laos. We mostly hear about good news. Government won't prosecuted Hmong Lao if there's no good reason. There are two side in every story. Hmong Lao should be treat with respect and equality. But all Hmong Lao insurgent should lay down their armed too.
:)


longhang wrote on 2^nd Jan, 2011 at 7:31pm:

i recall almost 7,000 hmongs fled laos into thailand back in 2005 and settled in HUAY NAM KHAO thailand so its really not that hard for foreigners to squeeze through the border when 7,000 primitive hmongs from the mountains manage to pull it off lolz, now that we reflect back on history its no wonder almost 7,000 hmongs flocked into thailand because as stated too many illegal foreigners are sucking up all the jobs. unfortunately thailand deported most of the hmongs who settle in that region back into communist laos and only god knows what happened to them. some say many were exterminated, some say many were treated humanely and were given land and now sport great big smiles YEA RIGHT LOLZ PLEASE LIKE WHO WOULD BELIEVE THAT? MOST LIKELY MOST OF THEM GOT KILLED SINCE MANY OF THEM WERE CLAIMING POLITICAL REFUGEE STATUS.

"....... about 50,000 have the required work permits, according to the ministry."

That's ridiculous!

Why would the government issue work permits to foreign workers when THEY KNOW local Laotians need the jobs and that there's NOT enough jobs for locals people as is?????   Why???

Foreign workers almost always SEND MONEY HOME TO THEIR FAMILY! NOT MUCH MONEY LEFT TO HELP LOCAL ECONOMY IF THEY SEND MONEY OUT OF THE COUNTRY!!!

HOW ABOUT HELP YOUR PEOPLE FIRST!!!!    UNBELIEVABLE!!!

BorLeumBanGerd, Depending on what sort of business you operate, sometimes you need foreign workers with more skills.

Foreign workers also go shopping, dine out and have their entertainment like the rest of us, so some their money goes towards the Lao economy.

The accomodations and vehicles they rent, also help local businesses.

Good point. Government should look out for the best interest of the country and it citizens first. Not just big corporation and special interest. Local does need jobs. That's why many young Lao has to go work in Thailand. Because there are less good paying jobs opportunity at home.


BorLeumBanGerd wrote on 12^th Jan, 2011 at 9:11pm:

"....... about 50,000 have the required work permits, according to the ministry." That's ridiculous! Why would the government issue work permits to foreign workers when THEY KNOW local Laotians need the jobs and that there's NOT enough jobs for locals people as is?????   Why??? Foreign workers almost always SEND MONEY HOME TO THEIR FAMILY! NOT MUCH MONEY LEFT TO HELP LOCAL ECONOMY IF THEY SEND MONEY OUT OF THE COUNTRY!!! HOW ABOUT HELP YOUR PEOPLE FIRST!!!!    UNBELIEVABLE!!!

I hope Laos government don't allow immigrant overrun the country. No government in the world will allow that in their country.

Admin- you're right, SOME jobs require skilled workers that Laos don't have many of.  However is it necessary to bring in 50,000 skilled foreign workers?  How about as part of the requirements for ALL FOREIGN INVESMENT PROJECTS, foreign companies can bring in their skilled labors BUT MUST ALSO TRAIN LOCAL LAOTIANS!  Allow 10,000 skilled foreign workers and train/share the skills and knowledge with local Laotians!  

Not hard to figure out is it?



Admin Saovaluck wrote on 12^th Jan, 2011 at 9:34pm:

BorLeumBanGerd, Depending on what sort of business you operate, sometimes you need foreign workers with more skills. Foreign workers also go shopping, dine out and have their entertainment like the rest of us, so some their money goes towards the Lao economy. The accomodations and vehicles they rent, also help local businesses.

I agreed. Foreign company should required to hire 50% of Lao worker. No excuse no other way around it. You can traine people to do anything. What's the point of investment in Laos if it doesn't benefits Lao citizens.

Lao government should tell some of the company pack their back, and go back to China or Vietnam. If they don't want to hire Lao workforce. Thats sound like racism to hire only Chinese or Viet worker.
>:( :(


BorLeumBanGerd wrote on 14^th Jan, 2011 at 1:07pm:

Admin- you're right, SOME jobs require skilled workers that Laos don't have many of.  However is it necessary to bring in 50,000 skilled foreign workers?  How about as part of the requirements for ALL FOREIGN INVESMENT PROJECTS, foreign companies can bring in their skilled labors BUT MUST ALSO TRAIN LOCAL LAOTIANS!  Allow 10,000 skilled foreign workers and train/share the skills and knowledge with local Laotians!   Not hard to figure out is it? Admin Saovaluck wrote on 12th Jan, 2011 at 9:34pm: BorLeumBanGerd, Depending on what sort of business you operate, sometimes you need foreign workers with more skills. Foreign workers also go shopping, dine out and have their entertainment like the rest of us, so some their money goes towards the Lao economy. The accomodations and vehicles they rent, also help local businesses.

There are jobs where you just can't just train someone for a few days or weeks and expect them to get the job done. Foreigners have gone through many years of studies and employment skills in their country, so they can basically come to Laos and get stuck into their task straight away.

Local Laotians are still trained and working together with foreigners, because the locals are cheap labour for many businesses and organisations so they are always needed.

As for the Chinese and Vietnamese workers in Laos, they do things quicker than Lao people, especially in the building and construction sector. If we recruited Lao people to build our sports stadium, we wouldn't have hosted the SEA Games.

Put more fund, money in Lao Education, jobs training, creating jobs and health care system. Laos is for Lao not for foreigner invader. Why is Laos behind other southeast Asian nation?

Yes, that's what they should do, but we know where the money goes.