An amendment to the labour law has allowed businesses to employ more foreigners. Employers can now hire foreign physical labourers up to 15 percent of their total pool of workers, up from 10 percent stipulated in the old law. White-collar workplaces can also now employ foreign workers up to 25 percent of their staff, up from 20 percent under the old law.
The decision to allow businesses to import more foreign workers comes following reports indicating labour shortages in both skilled and unskilled positions in Laos.
The amendment to the labour law also granted mothers of newborn babies a longer maternity leave period of 3 ½ months, up from the three months provided for in the old law. The extended maternity leave is in line with the recommendations of the International Labour Organisation Convention, to which Laos is a signatory.
The amended law was passed in February during the National Assembly's 6th ordinary session.
