B Mirror Report: Laos has temporarily suspended the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers, approval of work permits and issuance of worker-category entry visas for Bangladeshi nationals.

The suspension, imposed by the Laotian government, will remain in effect until December 31. It has been in force since September 1.

The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment has urged Bangladeshis to exercise caution when planning to travel to Laos and warned them against making payments after being lured by false job offers.

According to a ministry notice, Laos’s Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare issued a directive on September 9 suspending quota approvals, recruitment procedures and work permit approvals for the new recruitment of Bangladeshi workers.

The issuance of worker-category visas for Bangladeshi nationals has also been suspended.

The Bangladesh Embassy in Thailand has confirmed the suspension of visa issuance for Bangladeshi citizens.

Against this backdrop, the ministry has warned prospective workers against falling victim to fraud involving fake visas, job offers or unauthorised recruiting agencies.

It advised potential workers to verify any job offer or visa-related information through relevant government sources before making any commitment or financial transaction.