The cost of returning migrant labor to the Lao government is estimated to be around LAK 15 billion.

[ASEAN NOW]

For Lao migrant laborers returning from Thailand, the Lao government has spent about LAK 15.82 billion on food, transportation, and other requirements.

Ms. Baykham Khattiya, the Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, stated during the first special session of the ninth legislature last week that the Lao government had spent more than LAK 15.82 billion since March 2020 on aiding Lao returnees.

Minister Baykham stated, "The Lao government has worked with the Thai government to ensure that both legal and undocumented Lao employees can return to Laos during the new wave of Covid-19 in Thailand."

“Since March of last year, authorities have set up a huge number of state quarantine centers across the country to accommodate Lao workers who want to return home,” she said.

In order to aid certain returnees who want to work in Laos, authorities continue to collect information and collaborate with key sectors, particularly the Lao National Chamber of Commerce.

Returnees are also sought after by domestic and foreign investment projects, as well as Special Economic Zones, which today require over 6,000 personnel.

As thousands of migrant workers return home from Thailand, where employment opportunities are limited and medical treatment is inadequate, Laos has experienced an increase in instances of Covid-19.

More than 15% of Lao laborers returning from Thailand have been discovered to be infected with Covid-19, according to Deputy Minister Sanong Thongsana.

In Laos, the total number of cases has now surpassed 10,000.