The Ministry of Labour has reported plans to issue necessary documentation to 60,000 undocumented Myanmar nationals currently residing in Laos.
During a meeting between Union Minister for Labour U Myint Naung and the Lao Ambassador to Myanmar, discussions were held regarding the undocumented Myanmar workers.
In this meeting, it was revealed that there are approximately 60,000 undocumented Myanmar nationals in Laos. To address this issue, ministries will collaborate to verify their citizenship through the e-ID system, issuing Certificates of Identity (CI) as proof. Other matters discussed included the issuance of Overseas Worker Identification Cards (OWIC), the Ministry's efforts to create employment opportunities, and Myanmar's compliance with International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, particularly in implementing Convention-87. The Union Minister also discussed the establishment of employer and worker organizations in accordance with the 2011 Labour Organization Law and the continuation of cooperative efforts in labour-related matters between Myanmar and Laos.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister U Myint Naung, the Permanent Secretary, and other officials from the Ministry of Labour, as well as H.E. Mr. Bounphieng Chanthavong, the Lao Ambassador to Myanmar.
Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Myanmar-Laos labour cooperation was signed on October 21, 2024, in Vientiane, Laos. The agreement was finalized between Myanmar’s Ministry of Labour and Laos’ Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, focusing on collaborative efforts regarding Myanmar migrant workers.
