Lao PDR launches National Labour Market Information System (LMIS) Vision to 2055 and Development Strategy to 2035

The government of Lao PDR, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), has launched the National Labour Market Information System (LMIS) Vision to 2055 and Development Strategy to 2035, establishing a long-term roadmap to strengthen employment services, improve workforce planning and better connect workers, employers and education and training providers. Developed with technical and financial support from the Skills for tourism, agriculture and forestry (STAF) programme, the initiative aims to address persistent labour market challenges, including skills shortages, insufficient alignment between labour supply and demand, and limited access to reliable labour market information, while also creating new opportunities to harness modern digital technologies for labour market planning and employment services.

The launch of the vision and strategy marks a significant milestone in establishing a nationally endorsed framework for the long-term development of labour market information systems in Lao PDR. The framework sets out strategic priorities for strengthening governance and coordination, expanding the availability and use of labour market information, improving integration across institutions and data sources, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the system.

A key component of the strategy is the development of a national LMIS platform designed to support employment services, labour market analysis and evidence-based decision-making. The platform will progressively bring together information on labour demand, workforce characteristics and skills needs, helping government agencies, education and training providers, employers and jobseekers make more informed decisions and respond more effectively to labour market trends.

Ms Anousone KHAMSINGSAVATH, Director General of the Department of Employment, presented the five pillars of the strategy: strengthening governance and coordination, developing a modern national LMIS software platform, expanding data coverage and integration, developing a national skills classification standard, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the system.

Mr Thanongsinh KANLAGNA, Executive Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), welcomed the launch as a direct response to the private sector's long-standing concerns and added that it represents a valuable foundational tool for addressing labour market gaps in a more coordinated and effective manner. He said:

Dr Saysamone NGAMSI, Deputy Director General of the Department of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (DTVET), Ministry of Education and Sports, stressed the importance of the link between the LMIS and the education sector, stating: 

He added that DTVET is already in discussions with the MoLSW to integrate student enrolment, graduate data and training curricula into the LMIS.

Highlighting the broader significance of the system for all stakeholders, Ms Veerle SMET, representing Team Europe, emphasised that:

She further emphasised that the launch gives Lao PDR a clear national direction and that its success will now depend on sustained leadership and effective cooperation.

Closing the event and officially launching the vision and strategy, Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, Mr Phongxaysack INTHALATH, underscored the critical role of the LMIS in guiding national development, highlighting that:

The launch event was attended by more than 70 participants, bringing together senior government officials, private sector representatives and development partners.

The six-year (2023–2028) STAF programme is co-financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Switzerland and the European Union, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports together with LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.