Laos, a Southeast Asian country, has suspended the approval of new work permits and labour visas for Bangladeshi citizens in an effort to curb illegal entry, human trafficking and the activities of unauthorised labour brokers. The suspension, effective from September 1, will remain in place until the end of 2026.

In a directive issued on September 9, Laos’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare said the measure was taken to control the illegal entry of workers, human trafficking, unauthorised labour brokers and employers who bring in workers and subsequently evade their responsibilities. However, the directive did not provide a specific explanation as to why the decision was applied specifically to Bangladeshi citizens.

According to a report by The Laotian Times, individuals, companies, employers and labour operators will no longer be allowed to independently facilitate the entry of Bangladeshi citizens into Laos or employ them there. However, government-approved priority projects with specified implementation deadlines will be exempt from the restriction.

Anyone who employs workers without the required approval in violation of the rules will face a fine of 2.5 million Lao kip, or around $110, per worker and per incident. Accepting workers employed by another labour unit will carry a fine of 2 million kip, or approximately $89.

Workers who change their workplace without permission will face deportation within 30 days, along with a fine of 1 million kip, or around $44. Repeat offences will result in fines three times higher.

The decision could have a significant impact on Bangladeshi workers seeking employment in Laos. According to data from Bangladesh’s Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), around 3,000 Bangladeshi workers obtained clearance to travel to Laos during the first eight months of this year. The figure was 3,835 in 2025.