CAMKID-DGD 22-26 SP and Labour Rights In agri-food sector, The job is unstable owing to non-standard employment patterns, depending on the type of economic activity: daily contract, seasonal, irregular, or short-term contract. This is due to the fact that the majority of them are located in rural areas where they dodge labor inspection. In the province of Bokeo, daily salaries are paid to around 80% of the employees who work withindustrial crops (banana, watermelon, and soybean). Most jobs are underpaid, lack a legal income while works exactly in long hours,and are risky since they include the use of harmful chemicals (insecticides, pesticides, and herbicides) that can have an impact onhealth and family economy, and not recognize by the employers (in agri-food sector) and do not consider themselves as the formal workers, generating profit is the priority over health and safety of the workers.
Most of the workers still lack knowledge and understanding of the legislation on employment, wages and labor laws, including the protection of rights and benefits. Workers in the banana crops, watermelon plantations, many of them work as contractors but not hired as labor contracts.  They are a group of illiterate people who are unable to bargain for better working conditions. It is difficult for them to find work because it is expensive and isnot handled by employers or businesses, which is especially true for individuals who have recently migrated and are unfamiliar withthe area. A few people are forced to leave the banana plantation when they discover that there would be no compensation for the damage sustained during the storm since the necessary parties have not yet issued regulations or a clear contract to cover damages to banana trees. According to the contract, dangerous chemicals are usedin banana plantations. Many farmers are aware of the risks associated with chemical use, but they do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from chemicals. The company also does not provide farmers with the necessary protective clothingor training. Additionally, it is unlawful to use pesticides and herbicideslike paraquat, which has detrimental impacts on the environment and the local community.
The outbreak of the COVID-19 has caused many women to lose their jobs and income at food processing companies, banana and watermelon growing companies or distribution companies that have been affected by the economic recession. Women workers are the first group to lose their jobs. Oxfam's assessment (see A7_II_OxfamSol_ASE_Resource Documents)inLao PDR has shown that COVID-19 has affected food security, especially for women with lower income, mainly because their income has decreased or they have diverted their own income to buy hygiene products. The task of maintaining household food security and taking care of the needs of the family typically falls on women due to long-standing gender norms and responsibilities. Economic problems and limits frequently result in gender-based violence. Therefore, this project CAMKID is intended to combine withlocal partners and the central to empower the community and informal workers who work in the banana sector and neighboring communities so that they have knowledge, skills and understanding of their rights, to be safeguarded by social policies,particularlythe underrepresented groups of women and children, in order to prevent exploitation in the workplace and to improve their living and working situations.
In order to promote and protect informal workers, this project will employ a variety of appropriate methods and with the cooperation of relevant partners. For example, informal worker groups will organize to serve as a representative organization in negotiations between employers and workers in the community for the fair and decent employment. Disseminate information on labor law, labor-related policies, and social protection, including the creation of conditions for access to social security and the rules of the International Labor Organization on the basis of social protection R202 and the protection of labor outsidethe system R204, among other things, in collaboration with village authorities, mass organizations. Additionally, the goal of this project is consistent with the local socioeconomic development plan, particularly with the plans for HuaiXaiDistrict, Pak Tha District, and Meng District regarding the promotion of decent jobs, agricultural work, and fair and equal employment in this sector, whichhas a large labor force and accounts for approximately 60% of the total labor force throughout theprovince of Bo Keo. The initiative will therefore engage with central and local partners, disadvantaged labor groups, and 15 target villages in Bokeo province to grow the local economy and create decent jobs in rural areas.