Memorandum of Cooperation on the Employment for Skill Development Program between Japan and Lao People’s Democratic Republic

2026/9/4

The Government of Japan (the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the National Police Agency, hereinafter referred to as “the Ministries and Agencies”) and the Government of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, hereinafter referred to as “MOLSW”) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) on the Employment for Skill Development Program on August 31, 2026.

Although the Memorandum of Cooperation on the Technical Intern Training Program has been already in place with Lao People’s Democratic Republic, the MOC between two countries was signed in conjunction with the commencement of the Employment for Skill Development Program, from April 2027, as a replacement for the Technical Intern Training Program.

The purpose of this MOC is to protect Skill Development Employees and to promote the Employment for Skill Development Program adequately under bilateral cooperation by setting out the responsibilities for sending and accepting Skill Development Employees between both sides.

The key points of the MOC are as follows:

1. Commitments by the Ministries and Agencies of Japan

- To conduct administrative work relating to the license and the approval in line with the Criteria for the license of Supervising and Support Organizations and the Criteria for Accreditation of the ESD plan described in the Attachment of the MOC in an appropriate manner.
- To notify the Lao side if the Ministries and Agencies revoke the license of a Supervising and Support Organization or revoke the accreditation of an Employment for Skill Development Plan.
- To investigate, instruct, and supervise relevant ESD Implementing Organization and to take appropriate action and communicate the results to the Lao side if the Ministries and Agencies of Japan are informed by the Lao side about the actual condition of ESD that is not in conformity with the Criteria for Accreditation described in the ESD Act or is different from the accredited ESD plan.

2. Commitments by MOLSW

- To conduct administrative work relating to the approval of sending organizations in an appropriate manner, in line with the criteria set out in the MOC.

- To conduct investigations over the Approved Sending Organization in question, to provide necessary guidance and supervision, and to report the results to the Ministries and Agencies of Japan if the Lao side is informed by the Ministries and Agencies of Japan that the Approved Sending Organization is considered to have carried out act inconsistent with Approving Standards or other improper act.

- To revoke an approval when the Lao side considers that an Approved Sending Organization no longer meets Approving Standards, and to notify the Ministries and Agencies of Japan of the reasons and results.

3. Common Provisions

- Representatives of both sides should consult from time to time, as necessary. Consultations can be conducted through diplomatic channels, as appropriate.

- With the commencement of this MOC, the cooperation between both sides on the ESDP will be conducted under this MOC.

(Attachments)

Memorandum of Cooperation on the Employment for Skill Development Program between the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the National Police Agency of Japan and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (English)