Trade unions in Laos

Trade unions in Laos have been active in the country since at least the mid-20th Century.

Trade unions in Laos
National organization(s)LFTU
Primary legislationTrade Union Act (2007)
Total union membership155,000 (2011)[1]
International Labour Organization
Laos is a member of the ILO
Convention ratification
Freedom of AssociationNot ratified
Right to OrganiseNot ratified

20th Century

During the Royal Lao Government three statutes were passed that governed industrial relations (1955, 1967 and 1971). The largest union during this period was the Lao Civil Servants Union, founded in 1959. A number of unions, including the Civil Servants Union, started the Lao Labour Federation around the same time.[2] Laos joined the International Labour Organization in 1964.[3]

With the start of the Laotian Civil War, the Lao Workers Union was established in areas controlled by the Pathet Lao.[2] Trade unionists took active part in the demonstrations that ushered in the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975.[2] In 1983, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions held its first congress.[2]

Current situation

The current law forbids independent trade unions requiring all unions to belong to the sole national centre, the LFTU. The Labour Law of 2006 forbids work stoppages and strikes. Employees in state enterprises and government officers constitute the largest membership of trade unions in Laos.[4]

Laos has not ratified the two core Conventions covering trade union rights of association and collective bargaining.[5]

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References
  1. Fry, Simon (2012). "The Lao Federation of Trade Unions: A classic dualist union". International Journal of Employment Studies. 20 (2): 32. Retrieved 28 October 2019.
  2. Stuart-Fox, Martin, 1939- (2008). Historical dictionary of Laos (3rd ed.). Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press. p. 352. ISBN 9780810864115. OCLC 608593743.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. ILO Asia Pacific: Laos Archived 2009-03-06 at the Wayback Machine
  4. Annual Survey of Trade Union Rights Violations:Laos Archived 2008-12-24 at the Wayback Machine International Trade Union Confederation 2008
  5. "Ratifications of ILO conventions: Ratifications for Lao People's Democratic Republic". www.ilo.org. Retrieved 2019-10-28.
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