The International Labour Organization (ILO) is assisting the Lao Social Security Office (LSSO) in expanding social security coverage to rural areas of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, where access to the National Social Security Fund has been limited. Many rural populations are reluctant to join due to a lack of understanding about long-term financial protection and deeply rooted traditional beliefs, compounded by the LSSO’s limited presence outside the capital, Vientiane.
To address this, the LSSO is collaborating with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, which has a wider reach across the country. In late 2025, over 200 ministry officers based in district offices across 10 provinces received training to carry out basic social security functions, including communicating the benefits of social security, registering new members, advising on contribution payments, and assisting with claims. The workshops also introduced officers to the LSSO’s Standard Operating Procedures, helping them apply guidelines in local contexts, share experiences, and discuss ways to strengthen coordination while gathering bottom-up feedback from the field.
The initiative is part of the ILO-UNDESA project “Accelerating universal social protection for achieving the SDGs and ending poverty through strengthened governance and digital transformation,” which supports the government in planning, financing, coordinating, and monitoring the National Social Protection Strategy. The project also strengthens the design and financing of the social security system and focuses on expanding coverage to informal and rural workers.
The importance of the effort is highlighted by Labour Force Survey 2022 and LSSO administrative data showing that informal workers make up 86 per cent of the labour force, yet only 2 per cent are voluntarily insured. Officials emphasized that building trust and offering face-to-face support through district offices are critical to encouraging enrolment in the National Social Security Fund. Through these efforts, the ILO aims to ensure that workers in rural and informal settings have access to reliable income protection and are included in the country’s social security system.
