The International Labour Organization (ILO), with support from the European Union (EU), has launched a new phase of the SOLAR project to strengthen labour rights, social protection and decent working conditions for workers in the coffee, tea and forestry sectors in Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The project, Reducing Vulnerability in Lao PDR: Advancing Social Protection and Labour Rights and Entitlements in the Coffee, Tea and Forestry sectors - Phase II (SOLAR II), is implemented by the ILO and Oxfam in partnership with government institutions, representatives of workers and employers, and civil society organizations. Building on the achievements and lessons learned from the first phase, SOLAR II will replicate, adapt and scale-up successful interventions to the northern and central regions of the country.
Between 2021 and 2024, SOLAR I worked with local partners and coffee and tea farmers in southern Lao People's Democratic Republic, helping to increase understanding of social security, occupational safety and health, and gender issues among 12,612 farmers and contributing to the enrolment of 806 workers in the National Social Security Fund. Experiences and lessons from the first phase have been documented through the SOLAR Stories initiative.
SOLAR II aims to strengthen local service delivery and enhance the capacities of key stakeholders to support workers and small-scale producers in accessing labour rights and social protection. The project is expected to reach approximately 32,000 workers in the coffee, tea and forestry sectors across 16 districts in 7 provinces. At least 50 per cent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, while 25 per cent are expected to come from ethnic communities.
Using a participatory, multi-stakeholder approach, SOLAR II will apply practical interventions in four priority areas: Expanding access to social security services; Promoting safer and healthier working environments; Strengthening access to collective representation and social dialogue mechanisms; and Advancing gender equality and inclusion in workplaces and communities.
© Saiyadeth Sitthilath/ILO
The project was officially launched on 29 September 2026 in Vientiane. During the event, a Cooperation Agreement was signed by the ILO, the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW), the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), and the Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU), reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting decent work and strengthening social protection.
In her opening remarks, Keo Chanthavixay, Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare stated:
"Labour rights and social protection are important foundations for decent work and sustainable development. Through our collaboration with development partners and national and local stakeholders, we aim to strengthen service delivery and expand access to social protection, particularly for workers in agriculture and forestry value chains."
Representatives of the LFTU and LNCCI also reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, workers' organizations, employers and development partners in supporting the realization of labour rights and inclusive development.
Furthermore, SOLAR II forms part of the Team Europe Partnership for Sustainable and Inclusive Trade, Investment and Connectivity in the Agriculture and Forestry Sectors (TICAF) and the EU's Global Gateway Strategy.
Mark Gallagher, Head of the European Union Delegation to Lao PDR, said: "Through Global Gateway and our flagship programme TICAF, the European Union is supporting Lao PDR to create more opportunities for people working in the coffee, tea and forestry sectors. SOLAR II complements investments in value chains by strengthening the human dimension of sustainable development - helping workers and their families to be safer, better protected, and better equipped to face challenges."
Concluding the launch event, Lars Johansen, ILO Deputy Director for Lao PDR, highlighted the importance of building on the achievements of the first phase: "The importance of this work is growing, as workers and rural communities today face multiple challenges, such as economic uncertainty, changing labour markets, and the increasing impacts of climate change. The first phase of the SOLAR project demonstrated the value of working closely with local partners and transferring ownership to the local level. These lessons have informed the design of SOLAR II. As we begin this new phase, our objective is not only to reach more people, but also to strengthen the systems, capacities and partnerships that will continue delivering results long after the project has ended."
© Saiyadeth Sitthilath/ILO
The launch was followed by the first meeting of the Project Advisory Committee, bringing together government, workers' and employers' representatives, and civil society organisations. A technical workshop on 30 September further explored the challenges faced by target beneficiaries and practical approaches to implementation.
