In a historic milestone for worker solidarity in Southeast Asia, the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lao Federation of Trade Unions (LFTU), marking the first formal agreement between the two trade union organisations.
Held in Vientiane, Laos, the MoU signing represents a breakthrough moment in building union strength in a country that is both landlocked and strategically located within one of the world’s most dynamic transport corridors. As part of the agreement, LFTU will officially affiliate to the ITF, joining our global family of over 700 unions representing 16.5 million transport workers across 150 countries.
“This MoU is more than a formality. It is a commitment – to building union power, protecting workers’ rights, and growing our collective strength across borders,” said Scott McDine, ITF Asia Pacific Regional Secretary.
Aliyavanh Ackhavong, Vice President of the LFTU, welcomed the MoU as a major step in expanding international solidarity, recognising its importance in building union capacity, strengthening worker representation, and connecting Lao transport workers to the global labour movement.
Strengthening union presence in Laos’ transport sectors
Laos has recently emerged as a key player in regional transport integration, particularly in the railway sector. The Lao–China Railway, a high-speed, fully electrified line connecting Vientiane with the Chinese border. The joint venture is critical to the country’s growing role in trans-Asian logistics and is rapidly transforming the country into a regional freight hub. It is also a showcase for how climate-resilient infrastructure can support greener, more efficient logistics.
The ITF’s partnership with LFTU is rooted in the belief that a just transition to sustainable transport must put workers’ rights at the centre. By working together, the ITF and LFTU will strengthen worker voice and representation in the fast-growing rail freight and logistics sectors, with future ambitions to expand union presence in aviation, public transport, and road transport.
Stephen Cotton, ITF General Secretary, said: “This partnership goes to the heart of what the ITF stands for: building power across borders to win rights, respect and real change for transport workers. As the LFTU joins our global family, we’re taking our fight for secure jobs, safe conditions, the right to organise and a just transition deeper into one of the world’s fastest-changing regions.
A critical piece of a regional strategy
This agreement is part of the ITF’s broader efforts to build union power in South East Asia, where cross-border transport corridors are reshaping economies and labour markets. Through the Union Building (UB) Project funded by Union to Union, the ITF is already working closely with unions in Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos to organise transport workers and establish strong cross-border solidarity structures.
By formalising this cooperation with LFTU, the ITF is not only strengthening national organising efforts but also supporting workers who move goods and people across national borders every day.
Looking ahead: organising transport workers, promoting wellbeing
Currently, Laos has over 1,600 workers in its railway system. Most are employed by the Lao–China Railway Company.
LFTU and ITF have already begun engaging with these workers through joint meetings, site visits and trainings. As outlined in the MoU, future activities will include capacity building, joint campaigns, strategy meetings and wellbeing programmes to ensure that decent work goes hand in hand with modernisation.
“Our ambition goes beyond rail. We want to build union density across the transport sector – from stations and tracks to airports and warehouses,” said McDine.
Noel Coard, ITF Inland Transport Sections Secretary said “This MoU is a landmark achievement – not only for Laos, but for the global labour movement. It exemplifies the ITF’s global rail freight and supply chain accountability work, while also deepening regional integration under the principles of solidarity, justice, and worker empowerment.
As we continue to support LFTU’s development and encourage wider engagement with regional partners like VGCL in Vietnam, this partnership signals a powerful message: when unions unite across borders, we are unstoppable.”
