[ Human Trafficking, Country-by-Country ]

LAOS (Tier 2) – Extracted in part from the U.S. State Dept 2023 TIP Report

The Government of Laos does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking but is making significant efforts to do so. The government demonstrated overall increasing efforts compared to the previous reporting period, considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on its anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Laos remained on Tier 2. These efforts included increasing investigations into trafficking cases originating in special economic zones (SEZs), opening an office of the Anti-Trafficking Department (ATD) inside one SEZ, initiating inspections of companies within SEZs, and negotiating an MOU to ensure Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) representatives had access to SEZs. The government also significantly increased the number of potential victims it removed from SEZs, identified more male victims, and significantly increased the number of victims it referred to services. However, the government did not meet the minimum standards in several key areas. Courts did not convict any traffickers. Authorities identified fewer victims, and victim protection services were disproportionately unavailable to male victims of trafficking and members of LGBTQI+ communities. Anti-trafficking awareness and capacity among border officials in key transit areas remained low despite ongoing government training initiatives.

Prioritized Recommendations

Vigorously investigate and prosecute traffickers and seek adequate penalties for convicted traffickers, which should involve significant prison terms.

Increase efforts to proactively identify and provide protection services to men, boys, and LGBTQI+ victims of forced labor and sex trafficking.

Increase transnational collaboration on trafficking investigations.

Improve training for officials on indicators of labor trafficking, particularly among men, boys, and underserved communities.

Continue to disseminate, implement, and train police and border officials on the national victim protection and referral guidelines.

Proactively screen for trafficking indicators among vulnerable groups, including Lao and foreign workers working on large infrastructure, mining, and agricultural projects, and projects affiliated with the People’s Republic of China (PRC)’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as well as Lao communities displaced by these projects; Laos and foreign nationals employed in SEZs; Laos and foreign nationals exploited in forced labor in cyber scam operations; Lao labor migrants returning from work abroad through border crossings; and Lao and foreign women and girls discovered during law enforcement actions of nightclubs, karaoke bars, and other establishments that facilitate commercial sex.

Train law enforcement officials at the national and local level on the Lao Penal Code to improve their ability to investigate and prosecute traffickers, including complicit officials, those operating within SEZs, and child sex tourists.

Publicize and adequately staff all available government anti-trafficking hotlines, and train staff on victim identification and referral.

Further reduce barriers to formal labor migration to reduce the vulnerability of migrant workers, including eliminating worker-paid recruitment fees.

Continue to strengthen efforts at diplomatic missions overseas to identify and assist Lao victims of sex and labor trafficking.

Screen any North Korean workers for signs of trafficking and refer them to appropriate services in a manner consistent with obligations under UNSCR 2397.