Laos strengthens management over illegal foreign labourers

The Lao government has imposed the penalties on illegal foreign workers and businesses’ operators as an effort to ensure that expatriates in Laos comply with the law, Vientiane Times reported.
Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao government has imposed the penalties onillegal foreign workers and businesses’ operators as an effort to ensure thatexpatriates in Laos comply with the law, Vientiane Times reported.

Any foreigner or stateless person who undertakes a job thatis not legally permitted by the relevant authorities will be fined and furtherpenalised, according to Decree No.21 on fines and measures against individuals whoviolate the laws and regulations regarding exit and entry into Laos, and themanagement of foreigners in Laos.

The decree, which comes into force on March 12, stipulatesthat those committing the first violation will be fined 2 million LAK (213USD).

The fines will rise further to 3 and 5 million LAKrespectively for the second or third breach of the rules. Those committing thethird violation will have their residence permit revoked and will be deportedand prohibited from reentering Laos.

The 13-page decree is part of government attempts to morestrictly regulate illegal foreign workers and business operators. It comes inthe wake of previous reports which suggested that many people from neighbouringcountries are working in Laos illegally./.
VNA

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