Bamboo-weaving household in Pak Ngeum District, Vientiane Province.

Photo credit: © ILO/Saiyadeth Sitthilath

(KPL) Funded by the European Union and led by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Reducing Vulnerability in Lao PDR: Advancing Social Protection and Labour Rights and Entitlements in the Coffee, Tea and Forestry Sectors – Phase II (SOLAR II) will run from 2026 to 2030 with a budget of EUR 3.5 million.

The project will build on SOLAR I, implemented in southern Laos from 2021 to 2024. The first phase reached more than 12,600 farmers, raising awareness of social security, occupational safety and health, and gender equality, while helping 806 workers enrol in the National Social Security Fund.

SOLAR II will expand activities to 16 districts in seven northern and central provinces, reaching about 32,000 workers and small-scale producers. Women are expected to account for at least 50% of beneficiaries and members of ethnic communities for about 25%.

The project will focus on four areas: access to social security; safer and healthier workplaces; collective representation and social dialogue; and gender equality and inclusion.

It will be implemented by the ILO and Oxfam in cooperation with government agencies, workers’ and employers’ organisations and civil society groups, with an emphasis on strengthening local services, stakeholder capacity and community participation.

At the launch, the ILO, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW), Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) signed a Cooperation Agreement reaffirming their commitment to promoting decent work and social protection.

Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Keo Chanthavixay said labour rights and social protection are important foundations for decent work and sustainable development, particularly for workers in agriculture and forestry value chains.

The project forms part of the European Union’s Team Europe Partnership for Sustainable and Inclusive Trade, Investment and Connectivity in the Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (TICAF) and the Global Gateway strategy.

Following the launch, the first meeting of the Project Advisory Committee was held, bringing together representatives of government, workers, employers and civil society. A technical workshop on September 30 will further examine challenges facing target groups and approaches to implementation.

KPL