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Thai power firm ramps up job creation in Laos
Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
Vientiane Times
Publication Date : 16-03-2012
Ratch-Lao Service Company Limited, a Thai power company operating in Laos, is training Lao staff to work in many skilled positions at its power plants, according to a company executive.

Managing Director Jatuporn Soparaksa said on Monday the company sincerely intends to develop the skills of the Lao labour force, training technicians and management staff to work in various locations, especially the Hongsa power plant now under construction.

The Hongsa plant is the first ever lignite-fired power plant in Laos and many skilled personnel will be required to build and maintain the facility. This year, we have sent 30 Lao technicians to Thailand for training in job skill development and next year we will train 50 staff there, Jatuporn said.

He said the company is pleased to be able to help upgrade labour skills in Laos and to employ many people at the Hongsa plant when they have finished their training.

Ratch-Lao expects to be operating in Laos for many years. It has entered into an agreement with the Nam Ngum 2 Power Company Limited to operate and maintain its power plant in Vientiane province, as well as securing a concession for the Hongsa power plant.

"We want to recruit a young workforce to work at the Hongsa plant. They can work with us throughout the 27 year concession period, after which the Lao government will operate the power plant, Jatuporn said.

He said the company has made a number of contributions to social development in Laos, especially in education, sports and social support services, providing 400,000 baht (US$13,000).

Ratch-Lao is a subsidiary company of Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL, one of the largest Independent Power Producers (IPP) in Thailand, which holds 25 per cent of shares in the Nam Ngum 2 Power Company Limited.

"Our parent company has allocated 1 million baht ($32,500) to finance the construction of a school in Huaphan province,� Jatuporn said.

Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding PCL holds shares in four power projects, namely the Nam Ngum 2, Xepian Xenam Noy, Nam Ngum 3 and Hongsa Lignite.

Last year, the company made a total profit of 21 million baht ($683,700) from its investments in Laos and paid 5 million baht ($162,700) in taxes to the government of Laos, according to Jatuporn.

China and Vietnam create jobs and employ those who they think is the best person for the position.

Laotians in the US are doing well because they live in an environment where people tend to put their heart and mind into studying and working.

Laos is a laid back country, where people don't often get things done quickly. People don't take "exact" time seriously or their job seriously. The Chinese and Vietnamese in Laos are more smarter and harder workers than Laotians, and the opportunity is the same.