The Story Behind PCS’s 3,600 Lao Colleagues

Across Thailand, thousands of colleagues support these environments every day. Among them are more than 3,600 Lao colleagues who are part of PCS operations each contributing to the consistency and reliability that customers depend on.

Their presence is the result of a long-standing commitment to building a workforce that reflects both capability and opportunity.

A programme built on opportunity across borders

More than 10 years ago, PCS established a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Government of Laos; to create structured, legal employment opportunities while supporting workforce needs across Thailand.

From this, the Neighbouring Programme was developed.

It provides Lao nationals with access to employment under:

• Ethical recruitment practices
• Fair wages
• Safe working conditions
• Full compliance with labour regulations

Over time, the programme has grown into a consistent and structured pathway for cross-border employment in facilities management.

3,600 colleagues, one shared standard

Today, Lao colleagues form a significant part of PCS Thailand’s workforce, particularly within cleaning operations.

Out of 20,000 cleaning colleagues nationwide, more than 3,600 are part of the Neighbouring Programme.

They work across multiple sectors, including:

• Healthcare, supporting hygiene standards for patient safety
• Retail, maintaining customer-facing environments
• Education, ensuring safe spaces for students
• Commercial workplaces, supporting daily operations
• Manufacturing sites, delivering cleaning aligned with safety and 5S practices

While the environments differ, the expectations remain the same. Every colleague is trained to PCS standards, ensuring consistency in how services are delivered.

Training that builds confidence and consistency

For many colleagues joining the programme, this is their first experience working in a different country.

Structured training plays a key role in ensuring they are able to work safely and confidently from day one.

This includes:

• Induction into PCS operations
• Health and safety training
• Role-specific skills development
• Ongoing performance support

These standards are applied consistently across all sites, ensuring that every team member is equipped to deliver their role.

Creating a workplace where people can belong

Workforce diversity is part of daily operations across PCS Thailand. Bringing together colleagues from different backgrounds requires more than recruitment; it requires consistent support.

In practice, this is reflected through:

• Multilingual communication across teams
• Leadership that understands cultural differences
• Equal access to training and development
• Fair and consistent working conditions

These are not separate initiatives, but part of how teams operate across sites.

Supporting operations through people

Facilities management relies on consistency. Across sectors, customers depend on teams to deliver services safely, reliably, and to standard.

The Neighbouring Programme supports this by strengthening workforce availability while maintaining consistent training and operational standards.

This allows teams to scale across locations without compromising service delivery.

Our Lao colleagues, and strengthening collaboration with government partners to ensure safe, ethical, and sustainable employment for years to come.”

A long-term commitment to people and partnership

More than a decade on, the programme continues to support both colleagues and operations across Thailand.

It reflects a sustained partnership between Thailand and Laos, and a structured approach to workforce development within the facilities management sector.

As Rudee Aroonsaengroj, HR Director, 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.