Lao People’s Democratic Republic launches its first social security mobile application

Vientiane (ILO News) - The Lao Social Security Organisation (LSSO) has officially launched the Lao People's Democratic Republic's first social security mobile application, boosting accessibility to important services for rural and informal workers.

The new LSSO app was developed with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO)-China Partnership Programme and unveiled at the Second National Symposium on Social Protection held in Vientiane Capital on 12 December 2025.

In its initial phase, the app can be used by informal workers to pay monthly contributions, check eligibility for various benefits, estimate benefit amounts and view information including contributions, payments and claims.
The app will be upgraded over the next four years to expand its features and widen access to include those working in formal enterprises and public sector employees.

Speaking at the launch, Chomyeang Pheangthongsawat, Director-General of LSSO said: "This mobile application is a bridge that leads us to the future. It will make social security services better, more convenient, and more accessible for everyone."

In the Lao People's Democratic Republic social security services have only been accessible in person at LSSO branch offices and some bank branches. This makes it difficult for rural, informal and self-employed workers to pay contributions, verify eligibility, calculate benefits, or access treatment records. Manual, paper-based processes have in the past led to slow service delivery and inconsistent information, which ultimately affected user experience and perception.

By making these services available on a single digital platform, the LSSO app directly addresses challenges related to travel, delays, lack of information and limited accessibility, particularly for rural and informal workers who previously relied on in-person visits.

In parallel, ILO has been supporting LSSO to enhance interoperability of the social security database with other national systems. LSSO has developed Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) that connect LSSO with the population, business registration and medical information systems with the ultimate goal of improving law enforcement, increasing the membership base, and increasing revenues for the Fund.

Xiaoyan Qian, Director of the ILO Country Office for the Lao People's Democratic Republic hailed the launch of the app as a significant milestone. "This innovation brings social security services directly into the hands of workers. With a simple tap on their smartphones, members can do things that once required long waiting or travel times. This is more than a digital tool, it is a major step in modernising service delivery and strengthening trust in institutions."

Smartphone users will be able to download the app from Apple's App Store and Google Play Store (for iOS and Android) from January 2026 onwards.

The mobile app was developed, tested and launched with support from the "Extending social protection coverage to workers in the informal economy and leveraging digital transformation through South-South Cooperation" initiative under the ILO-China Partnership Programme.