The 4th Vietnam-Laos labour and social welfare minister meeting took place in Vientiane, Laos, on April 7, highlighting the close and effective engagement between the two agencies.

Participating officials informed each other on their countries’ current policies and laws related to their workforces and social welfare.

Appreciating the achievements resulting from their cooperation in recent years, they discussed measures to address problems hindering the improvement of ties in social security, insurance and vocational training, among others.

Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen and her Lao counterpart Onchan Thammavong agreed that their inter-ministry affiliation has grown in quality and scale in line with the specific needs of each nation.

A Vietnam-Laos labour cooperation pact was signed in 2013. Vietnam has thus far helped train a number of Lao personnel in the field and prioritised experience exchange with the neighbour.

Moving forward, the two ministers decided to intensify their work together and encourage provincial agencies to cooperate further.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Minister presented her agency’s insignia to Onchan Thammavong together with 1 billion VND (46,125 USD) worth of equipment to the latter’s agency.

The 5 th meeting is scheduled to be held in Vietnam in 2017.-VNA