Lao PDR

Relevant Legislation
Lao PDR Labour Law 2006 (Amended)6


Minimum Age of Employment

Article 41 of the amended Labour Law provides that ‘an employer may employ children who are at least fourteen years of age and less than eighteen years of age, provided that they do not work for more than eight hours a day and are not employed in sectors involving the performance of heavy work or that are dangerous to their health’.

Working Hours

Children under 18 are not permitted to work for more than eight hours a day or at night-time [Article 41].

Types of Work Prohibited

The following types of work are prohibited for those under the age of 18, under Article 41 of the amended Labour Law:

• All types of mining;
• Production activities that use chemicals, explosives or toxic substances;
• Work involving the handling of human corpses;
• Overtime time;
• Work in environments with excessive noise pollution; • Work in places that serve alcohol or with gambling facilities;
• Work at night from 10 pm to 5 am.

Additional Protective Measures

The Lao Labour Law does not provide any additional protective measures that pertain specifically to children. However, Article 42 lists certain protective measures that employers must adhere to in regards of all employees, including: taking necessary measures to ensure the safety and hygiene of workers; providing labourers with occupational health and safety training; and arranging for workers to undergo a medical examination at least once a year.

Endnotes
6 Lao PDR Labour Law (amended) 2006, available at http://www.na.gov.la/docs/eng/ laws/soc_cult/Labour%20(2006)%20Eng.pdf (accessed 30/05/11).