PCS Thailand’s Neighbouring Programme is part of a long-term workforce strategy that supports responsible employment, service continuity and operational scale across Thailand.
Established through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Laos, the programme provides structured, legal employment opportunities for Lao nationals working in Thailand. Today, more than 3,600 Lao colleagues are part of PCS Thailand’s cleaning operations, supporting customers across healthcare, manufacturing, retail, education and commercial environments.
The programme has been in place for more than a decade, forming a stable cross-border employment pathway within one of Thailand’s largest facilities management operations.
A Structured Cross-Border Employment Model
The Neighbouring Programme was developed to support legal employment for Lao nationals while strengthening workforce availability across PCS Thailand’s operations.
It is built on clear employment standards, including ethical recruitment, fair wages, safe working conditions, labour regulation compliance, onboarding and skills training.
For colleagues joining the programme, this provides access to formal employment under structured workplace practices. For PCS Thailand, it creates a workforce model that is legally compliant, scalable and aligned with long-term operational needs.
Supporting National Cleaning Operations
PCS Thailand has 20,000 cleaning colleagues nationwide. More than 3,600 are Lao colleagues employed through the Neighbouring Programme.
They support cleaning operations across:
- Healthcare facilities
- Retail environments
- Educational institutions
- Commercial workplaces
- Manufacturing sites
The work differs by sector. Healthcare sites require cleaning standards that support patient safety and infection prevention. Manufacturing environments require cleaning practices aligned with safety, compliance and 5S standards. Retail, education and commercial spaces depend on reliable daily service to keep environments safe, presentable and operational.
Across these environments, PCS applies common training standards, site procedures and supervision structures.
Training Built Into the Operating Model
For many Lao colleagues, joining PCS Thailand is their first experience working in another country.
Structured training helps colleagues understand PCS operating standards, customer site requirements and safe working practices before they begin work. Training covers operational induction, health and safety, role-specific cleaning skills, site procedures, customer requirements, supervision and performance support.
This training approach is embedded into how PCS manages service delivery across sites, helping teams work safely and deliver to consistent standards.
Inclusion as Part of Workforce Management
A cross-border workforce requires practical support at operational level. PCS Thailand supports Lao colleagues through multilingual communication, culturally aware leadership, fair working conditions and equal access to training.
These practices help teams work across language and cultural differences while maintaining clear expectations on site.
The result is a workforce model that supports retention, coordination and continuity across customer environments.
Operational Value for Customers
Cleaning is a critical part of daily operations across sectors where safety, hygiene, compliance and user experience are closely connected.
Through the Neighbouring Programme, PCS Thailand strengthens its ability to maintain trained workforce capacity across multiple sites and sectors.
For customers, this supports:
- Reliable cleaning coverage
- Consistent service standards
- Reduced workforce disruption
- Labour compliance alignment
- Stable site operations
- Teams trained to PCS standards
The programme is especially relevant in environments where service disruption can affect production, patient safety, customer movement or workplace standards.
A long-term commitment to people and partnership
More than 10 years on, the Neighbouring Programme continues to support colleagues, customers and operations across Thailand.
It reflects a sustained partnership between PCS Thailand and the Government of Laos, with a shared focus on safe, ethical and sustainable employment.
As Rudee Aroonsaengroj, HR Director, PCS Thailand, notes,
The Neighbouring Programme is a symbol of partnership, inclusion, and shared opportunity across borders. We remain dedicated to enhancing training programmes, expanding support for our Lao colleagues, and strengthening collaboration with government partners to ensure safe, ethical, and sustainable employment for years to come.
PCS Thailand’s investment in structured employment, training and workforce support continues to strengthen how essential services are delivered across the country.
