Laos suspends Bangladeshi labor import, integrates Myanmar workers

MGR Online•International•21h ago

Reader Briefing

The Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has suspended the import of Bangladeshi workers while establishing a certification system for Myanmar workers.

•Laos suspended the import of Bangladeshi workers from September 1 to December 31, 2026.
•The suspension of Bangladeshi workers is intended to address illegal immigration and irresponsible importers.
•Laos and Myanmar signed an agreement on September 10, 2026, to issue Certificates of Identity (CI) to Myanmar workers.
•The CI pilot program begins with 6,392 Myanmar workers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

Overview

•The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Laos ordered a temporary suspension of the import and work permit issuance for Bangladeshi workers from September 1 to December 31, 2026.
•The suspension was enacted to solve problems regarding illegal entry, the use of uncertified brokers, and irresponsible importers.
•The Department of Employment and Department of Labour Protection of Laos, alongside the Ministry of Public Security, will increase inspections of Bangladeshi residents to prevent illegal employment.
•Businesses or projects found using Bangladeshi workers illegally face fines of up to 2.5 million kip per worker and potential license revocation.
•On September 10, 2026, Pongsavan Xaykosi of the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare signed an agreement with U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin of the Myanmar Ministry of Labour regarding Certificates of Identity (CI) for Myanmar workers.
•There are currently 6,392 Myanmar workers in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, including 3,181 women.
•Myanmar workers with a CI can apply for temporary residence or work permits in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone for 6 months to 1 year.
•Starting the first week of October, Laos will share Myanmar worker statistics with Myanmar authorities through diplomatic focal points and propose extending the labor cooperation MOU for another 3 years.

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Key Entities

Organization

Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare(กระทรวงแรงงานและสวัสดิการสังคม)

The Lao government body that ordered the suspension of Bangladeshi worker imports and signed a CI agreement for Myanmar workers.

Department of Employment(กรมจัดหางาน)ℹ️

A Lao department tasked with increasing inspections on the entry and residence of Bangladeshi nationals.

Department of Labour Protection(กรมคุ้มครองแรงงาน)

A Lao department involved in monitoring Bangladeshi workers and signing the CI agreement for Myanmar workers.

Ministry of Public Security(กระทรวงป้องกันความสงบ)

The Lao ministry responsible for immigration and foreign national protection.

Department of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs(กรมกงสุล กระทรวงการต่างประเทศ)

The body coordinated by the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to suspend LA-B2 visas for Bangladeshi nationals.

Ministry of Labour of Myanmar(กระทรวงแรงงานเมียนมา)

The Myanmar government body that signed the agreement for issuing Certificates of Identity to its workers in Laos.

Person

Pongsavan Xaykosi(พงสะหวัน ไซโกสี)

The head of the Department of Labour Protection of the Lao Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.

U Kyaw Kyaw Lwin(อู จ่อจ่อลวิน)

The Director General of the Department of Labour, Ministry of Labour of Myanmar.

Place

Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone(เขตเศรษฐกิจพิเศษสามเหลี่ยมทองคำ)ℹ️

A special economic zone in Ton Pheung district, Bokeo province, where the CI pilot program for Myanmar workers is being implemented.

Ton Pheung District(เมืองต้นผึ้ง)ℹ️

A location in Bokeo province containing the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone.

Bokeo Province(แขวงบ่อแก้ว)ℹ️

The Lao province where the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone is located.