The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare plans to set up a system to record workplace injuries, as an essential part of worker protection.

Speaking at a press conference on 29 April 2022 to mark World Day for Safety and Health at Work,

Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare Mr Phongsaisack Intharath announced the ministry’s intention as a contribution to global efforts to prevent occupational accidents and diseases.

Mortality and injury resulting from occupational accidents in Laos is increasing dramatically every year, but the government and related parties don’t have any official information about these incidents because there is no system in place to record workplace accidents.

This year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work focused on enhancing social dialogue towards a culture of safety and health.

Mr Phongsaisack said the ministry planned to establish the National Occupational Injury Surveillance (NOIS) system, which would use multiple sources of information to gather a complete picture of workrelated injuries in Laos.

The system will record information not currently represented in workplace statistics, including in relation to factories and construction sites.

The NOIS will support the government’s efforts to ensure that workers are able to gain assistance in the event of a workplace accident.

The government attaches great importance to and regards occupational safety and health as a priority in protecting the rights and interests of both workers and employers, Mr Phongsaisack said.

He stressed the need to ensure that workers’ basic right to work in safety and good health was upheld and called on all sectors of society to participate in the formulation of laws, regulations and national policies relating to such work in accordance with international standards.

“In the past year, we have worked with the International Labour Organisation, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other sectors,” he said.

The second edition of the National Occupational Safety and Health Information manual is currently being compiled, as well as the third edition of the National OSH Programme on Occupational Safety for 2022-2026.

In addition, occupational safety and health considerations are included in the five-year Labour and Social Welfare Development Plan for 2021-2025 and are currently being drafted for inclusion in the Law on Occupational Safety and Health.

A member of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work is “Act together to build a positive safety and health culture”, together with advice for businesses to ensure job security for their employees.

Occupational safety and health are essential aspects of employment, and worker protection is fostered by the Chamber. One of the most important tasks in building a good relationship between workers and employers is to create a working culture which keeps everyone safe, the Chamber member said.