A Lao woman using a broom to clean the streets of Vientiane for 500,000 kips per month (US$60). You have to feel for her.

Roads are not thoroughly cleaned using this technique, but it does help remove some of the dirt and litter before water trucks are used to wash the roads.

500 kips doesn't have much value these days, it can get you a lolly at best.

The cost of living is cheaper in Laos than in the USA, so $60 US should last her for a while. Maybe some of her family members are also working so they may help each other with the expenses.

Not a bad idea as long as people have a jobs. LPDR how about give the worker a raise $100 a month and hire more people. It'll make Laos look good and clean. People will have jobs.

USA Joe, She is sweeping everything to the side to make it easier for herself to collect afterwards with her cart (located in the background). She may only keep the rubbish in her cart, while dust and dirt is swept off the road onto a dustpan then disposed on a ground.

Lan Xang, I agree that street cleaners should receive abit more than what they are currently earning. Yes there tends to be more expenses in the United States than in Laos.

If the lady make $60 a month. How much does regular offices worker or manufacturing worker get? Here in the US we get pay by hour 40 hrs a week the lowest is $7.25 per hrs. I think for minimum wage. 40 x $7.25= $290 a week.

Lan Xang, It depends on your position and where you work. There are bosses who will pay more or less than elsewhere.

An office worker in Laos wouldn't be too disappointed if they earned between 800,000 ($96 US) to 2 million kips ($240 US) per month. Payments at the end of every month is the standard for most jobs in Laos.

$96-$240 I think kind of low but better then nothing. Cost of living is cheaper. Here in US sometime I spend at least $100 a day going out and have fun restaurant and bar. I should save my money now and spend less.

Lan Xang, You spend $100 a day? My goodness.

The salary in Laos may seem low to you given that you live in America, but anyone in Laos who earns $240 a month is considered a high salary earner.