New Initiative to Combat Child Labour in Luang Prabang

The European Union, in partnership with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), and Save the Children International in Laos, officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch a new initiative aimed at eliminating child labour in Luang Prabang province.

The launch was marked by the signing of a MoU, co-chaired by Ms. Keo Chanthavixay, Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and Mr. Luke Ebbs, Country Director of Save the Children International in Laos. The ceremony was witnessed by the EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, H.E. Mark Gallagher, and attended by senior MoLSW officials and representatives from key project partners, all reaffirming their shared commitment to safeguarding children across the country from the harmful impacts of child labour. 

This ground-breaking new project uses locally-driven strategies to eliminate child labour in disadvantaged and ethnic minority communities, while promoting children’s rights to protection, education, and access to decent youth employment opportunities.

According to the latest Lao Social Indicator Survey (LSIS III, 2023), 23% of children aged 5–17 years in Lao PDR are involved in child labour, with higher rates found in rural and disadvantaged areas. This initiative comes at a critical time, focusing efforts in six priority districts within Luang Prabang province.

The project will contribute to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 by reducing social and economic inequality. It will be implemented through the following three key approaches, including: 1. Protecting and empowering children and adolescents in disadvantaged and ethnic minority communities; 2. Raising awareness in families and communities, and; 3. Strengthening government, stakeholder and media capacity to prevent and respond to child labour in a coordinated and sustainable manner. 

Ms. Keo Chanthavixay, Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, stated: “The Child Protection to Prevent Child Labour project in Luang Prabang Province, a collaboration between the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) and Save the Children International (SCI) in Lao PDR, is a project funded by the European Union. Its objective is to protect the rights and interests of children, which the Lao Government has always considered paramount. This commitment to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of children is demonstrated by its accession to international conventions of the United Nations, various ASEAN declarations related to child protection and assistance, as well as the promulgation of the Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Children (Amended Version) and many sub-laws, along with national action plans to strengthen the child protection system.

Concurrently, mechanisms for coordination from central to local levels have been improved to make the implementation of such work more efficient. Regular monitoring, promotion, inspection, evaluation, and assessment of implementation are also given attention. However, the use of child labour and highly vulnerable children in rural areas must be urgently addressed, and the main causes stem from traditional beliefs and low awareness, limited infrastructure, the impacts of climate change, and limited opportunities for access to education and employment”.

The European Union maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards child labour. The high prevalence of child labour in Lao PDR remains a serious concern – one that this initiative seeks to address meaningfully. The EU is proud to stand with the Lao Government and Save the Children in this vital partnership. Together, we are not just envisioning a better future for children; we are actively shaping it. By empowering communities and expanding access to quality education, we are helping to create a world where every child has the freedom to dream, to learn, and to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment,” said the EU Ambassador to Lao PDR, H.E. Mark Gallagher.

Mr. Luke Ebbs emphasized, “Child labour is not just a development issue—it is a fundamental violation of children’s rights. We are proud to stand hand-in-hand with the Government of Laos in making the elimination of child labour a national priority. With the generous support of the European Union, we are committed to working together with MoLSW, local authorities, communities, and four local civil society organizations to address the root causes of child labour and create safe, supportive environments where every child can learn, grow, and thrive.”

With this partnership, Save the Children and MoLSW will work closely with local communities, schools, and families to implement practical solutions to reduce child labour, promote children’s rights, and build pathways to quality education and decent employment. The project represents an important step forward in Laos’ journey to ensure that no child is left behind.