With the support of ILO/Korea Partnership Programme, the “Standard Procedure for Business Reopening and Recovery in the New Normal” (SOP) was launched in the presence of tripartite partners and other stakeholders on May 3rd, 2022

For more than two years, the COVID-19 pandemic has severely and negatively affected workers and businesses around the world. In response to the strong needs and demands of membership enterprises and partners to strengthen the capacities in resilient enterprises against the current and future crises, the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) developed SOP, in collaboration with social partners and ILO. It aims to support businesses as they reopen safely and begin the recovery process and will also provide guidance on business continuity planning in the New Normal.

PhD Xaybandith Rasphon, Vice President of LNCCI, in his remarks, emphasised that occupational safety and health would be imperative for reopening business, “SOP is considered as significant priority to reduce possible safety and health risks and to be reference for business continuity planning (BCP).

The launch event was followed by the training workshop on May 4th. A total of 30 participants from Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MoLSW), Ministry of Education and Sports, Lao Federation Trade Union (LFTU), LNCCI, Lao Social Security Organization, Development Centre of Vientiane Capital and other relevant stakeholders successfully enhanced the capacity in effective implementation of SOP as well as broader dissemination. The sessions covered OSH risk assessment and development of BCP, in addition to the SOP contents and their application and promotion.

The participants appreciated the practicality and timeliness of SOP and committed their contribution in a sustainable and collaborative manner.