Laos-China cooperation to improve workplace safety

Laos and China have agreed to ongoing cooperation in the labour sector with an emphasis on improving occupational safety in Laos.

A cooperation agreement on occupational safety was recently signed in China between Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Bounkhong Lasoukanh and a representative from the Ministry of Emergency Management of China.

The cooperation agreement will focus on the exchange of visits between technical staff, experts and related senior officials, and other labour cooperation programmes identified by the parties.

Mr Bounkhong said the Memorandum of Understanding would implement the cooperation plan according to the policies of the governments of Laos and China.

Under the agreement, the two parties will select and train occupational safety technical staff and specific safety inspectors, create measures to implement good practices on occupational safety, create measures to control hazards and prevent occupational accidents, promote a preventative culture in the workplace and support establishment of the National Occupational Safety Centre in Laos.

The sides will work closely to support technical cooperation on occupational safety such as co-organise workshops, seminars and training, exchange information and technical knowledge, and conduct a National Occupational Safety Centre feasibility study.

According to the ministry, the Chinese government has played an important role in supporting Laos’ labour, science and others sectors for several years.
China has cooperated with Laos in a feasibility study to construct a new Skills Development Centre in Oudomxay province.

This new institute will serve as a hub for resource development and facilitate cooperation between Laos and China in the training and labour fields.

China has also supported the building of a new food and beverage inspection laboratory, data and information centre, organic silk research institute and a renewable energy lab.

Editor: John Li