Laos and South Korea Sign Agreement to Expand Seasonal Worker Program

In July 2025, Laos and South Korea expanded their bilateral cooperation by agreeing to dispatch Lao workers to Incheon city under a seasonal worker program. This initiative aims to provide Lao workers with modern skills and experience while addressing South Korea’s agricultural labor needs. The agreement underscores the South Korean government’s continued support in creating job opportunities for Lao workers, particularly in the agricultural sector, thereby enhancing Lao workers’ livelihoods and contributing to national development.

Since 2022, Laos has been actively sending workers to South Korea to bolster its agricultural sector. The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare has signed seasonal labor dispatch agreements with 73 cities and two provinces in South Korea, facilitating the deployment of over 8,000 Lao workers for seasonal employment. Notably, more than 40% of these workers are women, reflecting the program’s inclusivity. This collaboration not only addresses labor shortages in South Korea but also equips Lao workers with valuable skills and knowledge to enhance agricultural productivity upon their return.

In June 2025, Laos took a significant step by launching a legal pathway for its citizens to work in South Korea’s fisheries sector under the E-10-2 visa program. This move aims to curb illegal migration, expand legal employment opportunities, and deepen bilateral labor cooperation. Eligible workers, aged between 20 and 45, are required to complete a two-week training program covering boat safety, Korean cultural orientation, and fisheries regulations before deployment. The initiative reflects Laos’s commitment to providing its citizens with legitimate employment avenues abroad while ensuring their rights and safety.

As of January 2025, Laos ranked seventh among ASEAN countries in terms of sending workers to South Korea, with 2,969 Lao nationals employed there. Vietnam leads the list with 55,795 workers, followed by the Philippines and Indonesia. The Lao government continues to encourage its citizens to seek employment opportunities in South Korea, particularly in the agricultural sector, to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the country’s economic development.

In August 2023, South Korea requested the Lao government to send an additional 2,000 workers to be employed in the industrial, agriculture, and fisheries sectors, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises. The employment contracts range from three to five years, offering salaries of at least US$1,600 per month. This initiative aims to address labor shortages in South Korea while providing Lao workers with higher-paying job opportunities abroad.

These developments highlight the strengthening labor cooperation between Laos and South Korea, focusing on providing Lao workers with valuable skills and employment opportunities while addressing labor shortages in South Korea’s key sectors.