Across the factory floors and railway corridors of Vientiane, the Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU) is laying new foundations to better protect workers in the private sector.
With support from Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA and the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), LFTU has launched a multi-year initiative to strengthen its presence in under-organised sectors, build local leadership, and ensure that all workers – no matter where they work – have access to union representation.
One union, many workplaces
As the sole union representing workers in Laos, LFTU has a mandate to advance the rights of all workers. But, like in Australia, the private sector is often a difficult space to organise, especially in newly industrialised areas and foreign-owned enterprises. Too often, workers are unaware of their rights, and employers are unaccustomed to collective bargaining or union engagement.
This project focuses on filling that gap – supporting the creation of new, and strengthening existing, grassroots union committees in 32 enterprises across seven districts of Vientiane Capital, including the Vientiane Special Economic Zone and Lao-China Railway.
A sustainable model: Training the trainers
The project is designed to utilise a training-of-trainers approach, designed to build sustainable internal capacity within LFTU and its training arm, the Trade Union Development Institute (TUDI).
An experienced union trainer and Union Aid Abroad-APHEDA volunteer, Peter Stokes, is working alongside LFTU to roll out this approach. The training is built around adult education principles, combining theory with practical application and a strong emphasis on peer learning.
Through this model, LFTU and TUDI trainers will be equipped not just to deliver training – but to confidently mentor others, lead workshops, and support organising in workplaces long after the project ends.
First Steps: Policy and Accountability Training
In May 2025, the first sessions of the project kicked off in Vientiane with two days of training focused on core APHEDA policies – including:
- Protection of the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals
- Fraud and corruption prevention
- Complaints handling and accountability mechanisms
These sessions are essential for setting a strong and ethical foundation for all project activities. They ensure that project staff and union organisers are prepared to operate transparently and in line with best practice.
The following training progressively building skills in organising, collective bargaining, and workplace leadership.
Shared learning, shared strength
The project is supported by Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA country office and a volunteer technical advisor, who bring international union experience and a deep commitment to worker-led change.
Their role is to support – not lead – ensuring that LFTU and TUDI are the driving force in every training room and every workplace visit.
Over the next three years, the project will roll out a carefully phased strategy:
- Support grassroots organisers to recruit more than 700 new members—at least 40% women
- Train skilled union trainers at LFTU and TUDI
- Establish or strengthen union committees in 32 private sector workplaces
- Negotiate 21 improved collective bargaining agreements (CBAs)
- Mentoring and coaching for district-level union staff
- Produce campaign tools and media to increase outreach
- Host cross-border learning exchanges with other regional union movements
On 28 May 2025, a new Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, formalising the ongoing partnership and officially launching the project. This agreement reaffirms a shared commitment to building a fairer future for Lao workers – starting from the ground up.
By investing in union training that is practical, locally led, and built to last, this project is helping LFTU grow stronger from within – and extending the reach of worker representation across the country.
Because every worker deserves a voice. And every workplace deserves a union.