During the ongoing 5th Ordinary Session of the 9th National Assembly Legislature, Mr. Xayadeth Phouiyavong, a constituent of Savannakhet’s District 13, urged the government to adjust factory workers’ wages based on current exchange rates between LAK and USD.
While praising the government’s efforts in addressing Laos’ economic challenges, Xayadeth proposed a solution to tackle the issue of workers’ wages in factories, especially in companies involved in exports and the generation of foreign currency in the country.
His proposal suggested that in the face of rampant inflation, a worker’s salary should be based on current exchange rates, especially against the US dollar. This would ensure that Lao workers get compensated fairly and maintain a decent standard of living.
Ultimately, the aim is to prevent Lao workers from leaving the country for better opportunities, which negatively impacts the socio-economic development of Laos, he said.
Highlighting the current situation, Xayadeth gave an example of how the minimum wage of LAK 1.3 million per month, once equivalent to USD 150, has now decreased to USD 68. This decline has made it challenging for workers to earn a livable income, highlighting the urgency to address the issue in the face of the ongoing economic decline.
He emphasized that the local workforce is the backbone of the country, and the acute labor shortage is going to negatively impact any efforts to stabilize the economy.
However, Laos, unlike neighboring countries like Cambodia, has a firm grasp on the use of foreign currencies. As the Law on the Management of Foreign Currency published on 30 November 2022 states, payment in foreign currency is prohibited in the country for payment for goods, services, debt, dividends, or taxes, which must be made in LAK. Moreover, employee salary, bonuses, welfare benefits, etc. must also be paid in LAK.
In an effort to retain Lao workers, Xayadeth urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to appoint labor advisers (labor ambassadors) in countries where Lao workers frequently seek employment. The purpose of these advisers would be to safeguard Lao workers from being exploited or getting trapped in human trafficking schemes.
Various ministries and organizations in Laos held a capacity-building workshop for Timor-Leste, ahead of its accession to ASEAN, which took place from 26-30 June.
The workshop welcomed the participation of dignitaries like Mr. Thongphan Savanphet, Vice Foreign Minister and the head of Laos’ ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste, Mrs. Renata de Jesus.
Representatives from the Department of ASEAN at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the Australian Embassy in Laos also attended the event.
Additionally, representatives from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union, and the Lao Women’s Union in Laos, were also present at the event.
According to Pasaxon, the objective of the workshop, organized by Lao representatives with the support of Australia, was to learn from the successful ASEAN applications of Laos and Vietnam.
The project also aimed to provide valuable insights into cooperation and coordination efforts within ASEAN. It specifically focused on the three pillars of the ASEAN Community: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). It shed light on how these pillars work together at the regional level and within each member country.
This workshop is a direct implementation of the agreement reached between the bloc’s leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in 2022, which outlined the acceptance of Timor-Leste as the 11th member country in principle, granting it observer status.
In addition, the agreement called upon all of the bloc’s members and negotiating partners to extend their assistance in preparing for Timor-Leste’s future ASEAN membership.
From January to May 2023, Bokeo province reported that 116,142 tourists entered across the 4th Lao-Thai International Friendship Bridge and through the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Border Checkpoint.
The Provincial Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism reported that international tourists, alongside 7,300 domestic visitors, in Bokeo generated more than USD 5.8 million in revenue.
The rise in the number of visitors compared to the same period last year is more than 96,000, which is an increase of 484 percent.
The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 4 alone saw 57,867 visitors, which includes 48,947 passport-holding tourists and 8,920 border-pass visitors, resulting in a USD 2.9 million revenue.
The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Crossing attracted 58,275 visitors, including 48,412 passport-holding tourists and 9,863 border-pass visitors, generating more than USD 2.9 million.
The province received 66,593 visitors from 9 ASEAN countries, 27,437 from 30 Asian and Pacific nations, 18,480 from 38 European nations, 3,450 from 15 northern and southern American nations, and 182 from 12 African and Middle Eastern nations.
SEZs in Laos have recently been in the news for not just attracting tourists but also generating employment for over 60,000 people across the country.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/16.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-06-30 09:00:002023-06-28 10:17:47Over 100,000 Tourists Enter Laos via Bokeo Province in 2023
National Assembly Member Proposes Adjusting Lao Workers’ Wages to Current Forex Rates
During the ongoing 5th Ordinary Session of the 9th National Assembly Legislature, Mr. Xayadeth Phouiyavong, a constituent of Savannakhet’s District 13, urged the government to adjust factory workers’ wages based on current exchange rates between LAK and USD.
While praising the government’s efforts in addressing Laos’ economic challenges, Xayadeth proposed a solution to tackle the issue of workers’ wages in factories, especially in companies involved in exports and the generation of foreign currency in the country.
His proposal suggested that in the face of rampant inflation, a worker’s salary should be based on current exchange rates, especially against the US dollar. This would ensure that Lao workers get compensated fairly and maintain a decent standard of living.
Ultimately, the aim is to prevent Lao workers from leaving the country for better opportunities, which negatively impacts the socio-economic development of Laos, he said.
Highlighting the current situation, Xayadeth gave an example of how the minimum wage of LAK 1.3 million per month, once equivalent to USD 150, has now decreased to USD 68. This decline has made it challenging for workers to earn a livable income, highlighting the urgency to address the issue in the face of the ongoing economic decline.
He emphasized that the local workforce is the backbone of the country, and the acute labor shortage is going to negatively impact any efforts to stabilize the economy.
However, Laos, unlike neighboring countries like Cambodia, has a firm grasp on the use of foreign currencies. As the Law on the Management of Foreign Currency published on 30 November 2022 states, payment in foreign currency is prohibited in the country for payment for goods, services, debt, dividends, or taxes, which must be made in LAK. Moreover, employee salary, bonuses, welfare benefits, etc. must also be paid in LAK.
In an effort to retain Lao workers, Xayadeth urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to appoint labor advisers (labor ambassadors) in countries where Lao workers frequently seek employment. The purpose of these advisers would be to safeguard Lao workers from being exploited or getting trapped in human trafficking schemes.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/29/national-assembly-member-proposes-adjusting-lao-workers-wages-to-current-forex-rates/
Laos Supports Timor-Leste in Strengthening Capacity for ASEAN Accession
Various ministries and organizations in Laos held a capacity-building workshop for Timor-Leste, ahead of its accession to ASEAN, which took place from 26-30 June.
The workshop welcomed the participation of dignitaries like Mr. Thongphan Savanphet, Vice Foreign Minister and the head of Laos’ ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste, Mrs. Renata de Jesus.
Representatives from the Department of ASEAN at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the Australian Embassy in Laos also attended the event.
Additionally, representatives from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union, and the Lao Women’s Union in Laos, were also present at the event.
According to Pasaxon, the objective of the workshop, organized by Lao representatives with the support of Australia, was to learn from the successful ASEAN applications of Laos and Vietnam.
The project also aimed to provide valuable insights into cooperation and coordination efforts within ASEAN. It specifically focused on the three pillars of the ASEAN Community: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). It shed light on how these pillars work together at the regional level and within each member country.
This workshop is a direct implementation of the agreement reached between the bloc’s leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in 2022, which outlined the acceptance of Timor-Leste as the 11th member country in principle, granting it observer status.
In addition, the agreement called upon all of the bloc’s members and negotiating partners to extend their assistance in preparing for Timor-Leste’s future ASEAN membership.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/29/laos-supports-timor-leste-in-strengthening-capacity-for-asean-accession/
Over 100,000 Tourists Enter Laos via Bokeo Province in 2023
From January to May 2023, Bokeo province reported that 116,142 tourists entered across the 4th Lao-Thai International Friendship Bridge and through the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Border Checkpoint.
The Provincial Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism reported that international tourists, alongside 7,300 domestic visitors, in Bokeo generated more than USD 5.8 million in revenue.
The rise in the number of visitors compared to the same period last year is more than 96,000, which is an increase of 484 percent.
The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 4 alone saw 57,867 visitors, which includes 48,947 passport-holding tourists and 8,920 border-pass visitors, resulting in a USD 2.9 million revenue.
The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Crossing attracted 58,275 visitors, including 48,412 passport-holding tourists and 9,863 border-pass visitors, generating more than USD 2.9 million.
The province received 66,593 visitors from 9 ASEAN countries, 27,437 from 30 Asian and Pacific nations, 18,480 from 38 European nations, 3,450 from 15 northern and southern American nations, and 182 from 12 African and Middle Eastern nations.
SEZs in Laos have recently been in the news for not just attracting tourists but also generating employment for over 60,000 people across the country.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/23/over-100000-tourists-enter-laos-via-bokeo-province-in-2023/