Part-time work can generate extra income in addition to a salary

During the Covid-19 outbreak in Laos, the economy has been greatly affected, but part-time work in agriculture or a small or medium-sized business can generate additional income for families so they don’t have to rely sole on their regular salaries.
This means that many people working in the public and private sectors have taken up extra work during holidays and weekends, outside of regular working hours.

Manager-Head of Corporate Relations of RATCH-Lao Services Co., Ltd. Mr Narongwit Khrongsin and officials from the Youth Vocational Development Department visit residents in Lamam district, Xekong province to collect information about the people’s needs.

Some families have made their own investments and some have received funding from various entities to supplement their business and boost their family income.
One example is Mr Bounxou Chounthongmy, 34, a teacher at a primary school in Xayphosy village, Samakkhixay district, Attapeu province.
Mr Bounxou is one of 50 young people from across the country to have received a grant from the ‘Lao Youth Union Development Project’ to run a small business from home.
The project is supported by RATCH-Lao Services Co., Ltd. and its development partners, in cooperation with the Youth Vocational Development Department of the Lao Youth Union.
Mr Bounxou received a grant to run a small business in motorcycle repair services in 2011, which is still continuing.
He was recently interviewed by Vientiane Times when officials from RATCH-Lao and the Youth Vocational Development Department carried out a survey in the southern provinces to collect information about local people’s needs and way to create jobs for them.
Mr Bounxou said “I attended a six-month vocational training course at a technical training centre in Vientiane, which I completed in 2009.”
“After graduating, I took the knowledge that I gained to further develop by opening a motorcycle repair shop at my home.”
“Initially, due to a lack of funds, new customers were not familiar with my business and the service was not as good as it should have been.”
“However, I was lucky to get a good opportunity in the form of funding from the Lao Youth Union Development Project.”
“The grant I got was used to purchase materials and tools that are needed in the shop, to enable fast customer service and meet customers’ needs.”
“The project gave me the chance to generate more income for my family, raise our living standards, and improve the family’s economy,” Mr Bounxou said. Today, his main income comes from his motorcycle repair shop, the income he earns from teaching and farming, and the cultivation of cassava for sale to local markets.
Mr Bounxou’s family has been able to build a house, buy a car and save some money to enlarge his motorcycle repair shop.
“I thank the project, especially RATCH-Lao and the Youth Vocational Development Department, for giving me and my family such a good opportunity,” Mr Bounxou said.
The survey carried out by RATCH-Lao and the Youth Vocational Development Department not only collected information about people’s needs but also assessed the achievements of the project through visits to young people who received support from the Lao Youth Union Development Project.
Manager-Head of Corporate Relations at RATCH-Lao Services Co., Ltd., Mr Narongwit Khrongsin, said that over the past 10 years the project had provided funding for young people who had completed skill training at the technical training centre in Vientiane.
The funding was provided to help them start a small business by working as motorbike mechanics, tailors, beauticians, or in agriculture.
Over the past 12 years, RATCH-Lao Services Co., Ltd. has contributed to various areas of development in Laos, including education, labour, human resources, and energy.
RATCH-Lao is a subsidiary of the RATCH Group Public Co., Ltd., which is wholly owned by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT).
In Laos, the company has invested in electricity development and owns 10 percent of shares in EDL-GEN.
RATCH Group Public Co., Ltd. has invested in hydroelectric power plants in the provinces of Vientiane, Xayaboury, Champassak, Attapeu and Xekong.
The company’s vision is business development alongside the development of human resources. In particular, the company aims to build the knowledge and skills of the Lao people so they can use their knowledge to develop their own country.
More than 1,000 young people have completed training courses under the Lao Youth Union Development Project. In addition, 50 people have received funding to start a small business.
RATCH-Lao Services has also supported education in Laos by providing funds to build schools in several provinces. Mr Narongwit said that among its many important activities, the company responds to poverty alleviation in remote areas where there is a shortage of young people for vocational training.
In addition, the company has provided food and essential materials for young people affected by the Covid-19 outbreak.

Mr Bounxou Chounthongmy opens a motorcycle repair shop in Xayphosy village, Samakkhixay district, Attapeu province.	Mr Bounxou Chounthongmy was interviewed by Vientiane Times.	Mr Narongwit Khrongsin was interviewed by Vientiane Times.

By Keoviengkhone Bounviseth
(Latest Update April 21, 2022)