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July 27, 2005

DESIRING to further enhance the existing bilateral relationship of the Parties;

RECOGNIZING the responsibilities and contributions respectively of the Parties with regard to technical cooperation on labor and employment;

AIMING to strengthen the collaboration between the two countries through joint projects, and/or undertakings on labor and employment, specifically capability-building programs for the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in order to strengthen its role for national development;

HAVE AGREEED AS FOLLOWS:

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Parties shall cooperate in the field of labor and employment in accordance with their respective existing national laws, rules and regulations.

ARTICLE II
AUTHORITIES

The executing authorities of this technical collaboration will be:

For the Government of the Republic of the Philippines: The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE);

For the Government of the Lao People's Democratic Republic: The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MOLSW).

ARTICLE III
GUIDELINES FOR LABOR COLLABORATION

This Memorandum involves collaboration between the two Parties in pursuing labor and employment and human resource development activities and projects in the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Specifically, both Parties agree to develop a formal mechanism by which they will participate in the formulation of technical collaboration project for the labor capability building programs for the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare of Lao PDR.

Under this Agreement, the Philippines shall:

1. Provide technical assistance and support in the actual implementation of the projects and training in the areas of;

a) labor administration;

b) labor migration;

c) employment promotion;

d) occupational safety and health; and

e) gender equality/expansion of employment opportunities for women

2. Provide short term consultants to follow-up or supervise the implementation of the projects;

3. Provide labor experts and arrange the participation of Lao PDR's Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare in training courses or study tours on labor capability building programs;

The Lao PDR shall:

4. Make available its facilities and other requirements for the effective implementation of this agreement;

5. Make arrangements for the sourcing of funds from donor agencies, UN system organizations, and other international organizations, for the implementation of projects.

Both Parties shall encourage their implementing authorities to coordinate in the above mentioned activities in accordance with the rules and regulations in force in each country.

ARTICLE IV
IMPLEMENTATION

The Parties shall conclude an "Implementing Guidelines" in order to lay out the terms of implementation of the provision of this MOU at the earliest convenience after the signing of the MOU.

ARTICLE V
SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES

Any dispute between the Contracting Parties arising out of the interpretation or implementation of this Memorandum shall be settled by consultations or negotiations, through diplomatic channels.

ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS

Any amendment or revision to the text of this Memorandum shall be done by mutual consent of the Parties, through diplomatic channels. This amendment or revision shall enter into force in accordance with Article VII.

ARTICLE VII
ENTRY INTO FORCE, VALIDITY AND TERMINATION

This Memorandum shall enter into force on the date of the later notification by the Parties, through diplomatic channels, indicating that the domestic requirements for its entry into force have been complied with.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, duly authorized by their respective Governments, have signed this Memorandum.

Done in Vientiane on the 27th day of July 2005, in two original copies in English text, both copies being equally authentic.