Lao PDR Moves to Expand Social Security Coverage in Rural Communities

To overcome these barriers, the LSSO is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, which has an extensive nationwide network and direct contact with communities.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is supporting efforts by the Lao Social Security Office (LSSO) to significantly expand social security coverage beyond the capital, targeting rural and informal workers across the Lao People’s Democratic Republic.

With limited institutional presence outside Vientiane, the LSSO has faced challenges encouraging enrolment in the National Social Security Fund in provincial and district areas. Low participation has been driven by limited awareness of long-term income protection and deeply rooted traditional beliefs about risk, savings and family support.

To overcome these barriers, the LSSO is working closely with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, which has an extensive nationwide network and direct contact with communities.

Training District Officers to Bring Social Protection Closer to People

In late 2025, more than 200 ministry officers based in district offices across 10 provinces were trained to deliver basic social security services at the local level. The initiative was supported by the ILO–UNDESA project “Accelerating universal social protection for achieving the SDGs and ending poverty through strengthened governance and digital transformation.”

The trained officers — many of whom had not previously worked in social security — learned how to:

• Communicate the benefits of social security in accessible, culturally appropriate ways

• Register new members in the National Social Security Fund

• Advise contributors on regular payments and claims procedures

• Provide face-to-face support to build trust and confidence

The workshops also introduced participants to LSSO’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enabling them to adapt national guidelines to local contexts. Sessions encouraged peer learning, experience-sharing and problem-solving, while gathering bottom-up feedback on challenges faced at the district level.

Addressing a Major Coverage Gap

The urgency of expanding coverage is underscored by national data. According to the Labour Force Survey 2022 and LSSO administrative records, informal workers account for 86 per cent of the labour force, yet only 43,329 informal workers are voluntarily insured — just 2 per cent of the total workforce.

“Broadening social security coverage is essential to ensure that all workers, including those in rural and informal settings, have access to reliable income protection,” said Loveleen De, Social Protection Programme Manager at the ILO. “District offices of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare are a critical link to communities outside the capital.”

Building Trust Through Local Presence

LSSO trainers emphasized that trust is a key factor in encouraging enrolment.

“Building trust is essential to encourage people to join the National Social Security Fund,” said Chanthavixay Keopaseuth, LSSO Trainer. “That is why working with local labour officers who can provide direct, face-to-face support is so important.”

By leveraging existing local institutions, the initiative helps bridge the gap between national systems and rural populations, making social protection more visible, understandable and accessible.

Part of a Broader National Social Protection Reform

Through the ILO–UNDESA project, the ILO is supporting the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic — particularly the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare — to plan, finance, coordinate and monitor implementation of the National Social Protection Strategy.

The two-year initiative also supports the LSSO to strengthen the design and financing of the social security system, improve governance, and expand coverage nationwide.

By empowering district-level officers and strengthening coordination across institutions, Lao PDR is taking a practical step toward universal social protection — ensuring rural and informal workers are no longer left behind.