Laos bans recruitment of Bangladeshi workers for four months, instructions issued

The Lao government has suspended the recruitment, work permit and labor visa issuance of Bangladeshi workers for four months. The suspension will be effective from September 1 to December 31. The decision is said to be aimed at preventing illegal entry, human trafficking and unauthorized supply of labor, as well as the fraud of Bangladeshi workers.

Citing the directives of the Lao Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh issued a notification in this regard on September 28. It also announced the temporary suspension of the issue of labor category LA-B2 visas for Bangladeshi citizens.

However, the Lao government has not yet said why this suspension order was issued specifically for Bangladeshi workers. The Bangladesh government has taken initiatives to find out the matter, said State Minister for Expatriates' Welfare Md. Nurul Haque.

He said the Lao government has not informed Bangladesh of the specific reason for the suspension. Since there is no Bangladesh embassy in the country, efforts are being made to find out the matter through the embassy of the neighboring country. At the same time, the concerned have been asked to submit a report on the current situation of the Lao labor market and the prospects of Bangladeshi workers.

Initiatives to prevent illegal entry and human trafficking

Citing instructions from the Lao Ministry of Labor, the country's media outlet The Laotian Times reported that the move was taken to curb illegal entry, human trafficking, unauthorized labor suppliers, and employers who evade responsibility by bringing in workers from abroad.

According to the directive, no individual, company, employer or labor supplier will be able to independently grant entry or employment permits to Bangladeshi nationals in Laos. New work permits for Bangladeshi workers, plans to import workers and approval of labor projects will also be suspended.

However, major priority projects approved by the Lao government, whose work schedules are determined by contract, will be exempt from this moratorium.