KUALA LUMPUR – Laos authorities will be working with their Malaysian counterparts to ensure that its citizens are legally employed, following allegations of 2,000 unregistered workers in the workforce here.
Laos Labour and Welfare Ministry employment department director-general Anousone Khamsingsavath said the department’s aim is to ensure that measures are put in place to legalise its workers.
According to a Laotian Times article citing local newspaper Vientiane Times, she said the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries is needed and will work with the Malaysian embassy to determine corrective measures on labour.
“We may face challenges because Laos and Malaysia do not have an MoU that supports a strong relationship in this area. An MoU must be signed by both governments for all areas of cooperation,” she was quoted as saying.
It added that the agreement would address workforce issues such as development, protection, social security, and human trafficking prevention.
Referencing an article by Global Network of Sex Work Projects, it said many illegal workers from Laos living in Malaysia are believed to be sex workers.
Published in 2020, the article said there was an influx of foreign sex workers to Malaysia, with those from China, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia surpassing that of locals. – The Vibes, June 6, 2022
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