Sabaidee all.  I am in the process of writing up  'business plans' to see my future business/entrepenurship ideas are feasible enough to take place in Vientiane in the near future.  For those of you that have a business in Vientiane already, what are you all paying the workers there? Is there a minimun wage requirements? I guess these would depend on skillsets obtained by the individual (understand greatly).  This information would be very helpful for me and if my busineese should happen  then I do not want to short change the workers in Vientiane.

The Lao Foreign Ministry and Investment does not say anything about wages.

Any enlightenments greatly appreciated,

KhonLaoTexasUSA

Laos per capita income a year is about $1,200. About $100 a month.
8-) :)

As I see it right now, it's around US$70-US$80 a month for unskilled workers, US$120 for semi-skilled, and up to US$1,500 for top management.

Wow, am I over-paid!!!

These are realistic numbers (less than $1USD/hour)? I cannot make sense of this.  How can people survive with $1200/year wage? What's up with the Lexus, Mercedes etc... on the roads?  

Those who earn $100 a month don't own luxury cars. They'll have a motorbike at best.

The Lexus and Mercedes on the roads belong to the wealthy.

wrote on 8^th Mar, 2011 at 1:18am:

As I see it right now, it's around US$70-US$80 a month for unskilled workers, US$120 for semi-skilled, and up to US$1,500 for top management.

$500-$1500 a month in Laos sound really good.
8-) ::)

PEACE wrote on 8^th Mar, 2011 at 5:29pm:

These are realistic numbers (less than $1USD/hour)? I cannot make sense of this.  How can people survive with $1200/year wage? What's up with the Lexus, Mercedes etc... on the roads?

Luxury car are for the rich and powerful. $1200 a year in Laos, but cost of living is cheap. You can rent apartment for $200 a month. It not enough but what can you do. That's why many Lao go to Thailand for work Thai yearly income is $4,600 a year about $380 a month. Most Lao don't have house or car payment because everything is cash. Most Lao farm, hunt and grew their own food.
8-)

wrote on 8^th Mar, 2011 at 6:41am:

Wow, am I over-paid!!!

I think I'm overpay too, but I'm not going complain about that. God Bless America.
  :) ;D

OK it does make more sense to me now.  It is all relative to certain standards.  Is there a income/sales tax or some sort of tax system applied to the working class?  I would assume the luxury cars on the road belongs to the gov't officials and wealthy business men/women?

In Vientiane, food is very inexpensive still then?


Quote:

Luxury car are for the rich and powerful. $1200 a year in Laos, but cost of living is cheap. You can rent apartment for $200 a month. It not enough but what can you do. That's why many Lao go to Thailand for work Thai yearly income is $4,600 a year about $380 a month. Most Lao don't have house or car payment because everything is cash. Most Lao farm, hunt and grew their own food. 8-)

Compare to U.S cost of living in Laos is cheaper, but if you make $100 a month it doesn't get very far if your rent is $200 or $300. Because of inflation cost of housing, gas, food is also going up. But you can still find affordable place to rent in Laos. Check out rentsbuy.com to rent or buy property.
8-) :-?


PEACE wrote on 9^th Mar, 2011 at 12:55pm:

OK it does make more sense to me now.  It is all relative to certain standards.  Is there a income/sales tax or some sort of tax system applied to the working class?  I would assume the luxury cars on the road belongs to the gov't officials and wealthy business men/women? In Vientiane, food is very inexpensive still then? Quote: Luxury car are for the rich and powerful. $1200 a year in Laos, but cost of living is cheap. You can rent apartment for $200 a month. It not enough but what can you do. That's why many Lao go to Thailand for work Thai yearly income is $4,600 a year about $380 a month. Most Lao don't have house or car payment because everything is cash. Most Lao farm, hunt and grew their own food. 8-)

There is a tax system in Laos for the working class but it's not much, maybe five or ten percent of your income. Normally you can get away without paying tax if you're earning a pittance in low-skilled jobs.

Food can be expensive or cheap, depending what you buy, or where you eat out.

What is considered a 'working class' in terms yearly wage? It is definitely not $1200/year.


Admin Saovaluck wrote on 9^th Mar, 2011 at 9:18pm:

There is a tax system in Laos for the working class but it's not much, maybe five or ten percent of your income. Normally you can get away without paying tax if you're earning a pittance in low-skilled jobs. Food can be expensive or cheap, depending what you buy, or where you eat out.