The Indian Embassy in Laos has cautioned Indian citizens of fake / exploitative job offers in Laos. In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Embassy informed on the rescue of 13 Indians.

“In our continued work to ensure safety & well-being of Indians as matter of top priority, Embassy successfully rescues & repatriates 13 Indians, incl. 7 Odiya workers from a wood factory in Attapeu province, & 6 Indian youth frm Golden Triangle SEZ,Bokeo province of Laos (Contd.),” posted the Indian Embassy.

The Embassy updated on instances wherein Indian nationals are being lured for employment through Thailand in Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) – also known as Laos.

“These fake jobs are for posts such as of ‘Digital Sales and Marketing Executives’ or ‘Customer Support Service’ by dubious companies involved in call-centre scams and crypto-currency fraud in Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos. Agents in places such as Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore and India associated with these firms are recruiting Indian nationals by taking a simple interview and the typing test, and are offering high salaries, hotel bookings along with return air tickets and visa facilitation. Victims are illegally taken across the border into Laos from Thailand and held captive to work in Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone in Laos under harsh and restrictive conditions. At times, they are taken hostages by criminal syndicates indulging in illegal activities and forced to work in strenuous conditions under constant physical and mental torture,” stated the Embassy.

In some other cases, Indian workers have been brought to Laos to work in other regions of Laos in low-cost jobs such as mining, wood factory, etc. where their handlers exploit them and endanger them in illegal work. The Embassy mentioned that a number of Indians have been rescued under very difficult conditions.

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“Visa on Arrival in Thailand or Laos does not permit employment and the Lao authorities do not issue work permits to Indian nationals coming to Laos on such visas. It may be noted that tourist visa is to be used only for the purpose of tourism. Please note that those convicted of human trafficking crimes have been sentenced up to 18 years in prison in Laos,” stated the Embassy.

Therefore, the Embassy has advised Indian nationals not to get enticed and entrapped in such fraudulent or exploitative job offers and are requested to exercise extreme caution and verify the antecedents of recruiting agents as well as any company before taking up any job offer in Laos. For any help or clarification on job offers in Lao PDR, contact Indian Embassy at Emergency Contact Number +856-2055536568 or email: cons.vientianne@mea.gov.in.