Some Lao workers have taken up welding jobs in Korea. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Young Lao people have benefited from the cooperation between Laos and South Korea through the Seasonal Workers Programme for Lao nationals, labour leaders have said.
The agreement has helped Lao workers find employment in the industries and agriculture sectors in South Korea. Numerous industries and the agriculture sector in South Korea want workers from Laos, especially young people who specialise in welding.
Chungcheongnam-do province in the Republic of Korea and Laos’ Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare recently signed a memorandum of understanding for the dispatch of Lao nationals for seasonal employment in the agriculture and fishery sectors of Korea, and as welders.
Under the agreement, Korea will advise employers in the agriculture and industrial sectors to employ the Lao nationals. The employers will also be registered.
Laos’ Department of Employment will establish a channel to communicate with the seasonal workers and support them in Chungcheongnam-do province of South Korea.
Under the agreement, both sides will make efforts to strengthen cooperation in various fields, including economy, culture, education, tourism and environment.
Many Lao nationals have take up job offers in the Republic of Korea. They are either working under the Employment Permit System for a period of three to five years, or applied for employment as seasonal workers for three to six months.
In June, more than 13,000 Lao nationals went to South Korea, Thailand and Japan for employment after passing competency tests administered in Laos.
Training manuals are provided to Lao nationals going to work in other countries. Recruitment agencies are required to inform new hires about the rules of employment and other regulations in their destination country, as well as travel and living conditions, and ways to contact authorities if they encounter any problem.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare can take action to prevent employers from misleading workers, and authorisation documents must be issued by local authorities before workers can be relocated.
Before a company recruits workers for jobs either within or outside Laos, it must submit a letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to the Department of Labour Protection and Welfare in Vientiane or the relevant province to track and facilitate the recruitment of workers.
An online programme records data about workers sent abroad by a recruitment company and there is periodic monitoring and evaluation of the activities of each company.
