Laos PDR - unequal flows

• Laos PDR overview


  landlocked LIDC with population of almost 7 million

  located in southeast asia

  poor country ( GDP per capita = $1700 2014)

  73% employed in agriculture

  member of ASEAN since 1997

  net migration loss is high

  remittances bring much needed income

  human trafficking major problem
• Laos PDR - patterns of emigration and immigration

  2013 - 1.3 million Laos-born emigrants lived abroad, mainly in thailand

  2013 - 20,000 foreign born immigrants lived in Laos, mainly Vietnamese

  migration to Laos largely result of employment opportunities in government programmes linking countries in the region via highways etc

  many vietnamese immigrants work in construction and mining
• main reasons of emigration from Laos to thailand

  many working on land are subsistence farmers so farming holds no promise of financial gain or personal independence

  insufficient land available for farming and periodic droughts leading to food insecurity

  strong motivation to follow successful migrants

  daily minimum wage in thailand = 800 baht VS 80 baht in Laos

  low levels of education in Laos mean many are only suited to unskilled jobs - high demand for this in thailand
• factors making migration from laos to thailand easier

  familiarity with thai culture and language

  improved access across Mekong

  use of ' brokers ' to reach thai border and access employment in thailand
• laos and migration policies

  source country for human trafficking

  2013 - 36% of population were under 1

  vulnerability of young migrants to forced labour and sex exploitation is major concern

  government policies have been ineffective however Lao PDR ministry of labour works with other organisations to implement a more stringent anti-trafficking policy = National Plan of Action for Human Trafficking

  ASEAN member so subject to their laws - allows free movement of skilled labour from 2015
• laos - national plan of action for human trafficking 3 strands

  prevention

  • awareness campaigns, education, child protection, alleviation of poverty reducing need to migrate

  protection

  • repatriation and reintegration of returning migrants, including shelters for women who may need counselling

  prosecution

  • investigation of trafficking networks, training border officials and strengthening legal framework
• interdependence with countries linked to laos by migration - ASEAN laos-thailand migrant corridor


  dominated numerically by outward flow of unskilled laotians in thailand, contribute to thai economy in construction, agriculture etc

  remittances assist development in laos

  laos-thailand cooperation committee established - strengthens communication and trade

  thailand funded large health service development and drugs treatment centre in Laos

  work together as members or mekong river commission to manage flooding and economic activities in basin
• laos - opportunities created by migration


  laos-thailand is one of largest in ASEAN helped stimulating political and economic cooperation via trade, investment, development projects

  bilateral relationships with vietnam extend beyond reciprocal labour migration - economic cooperation ( vietnam involved in over 400 investment projects )

  migrant remittances important to life of returnees and families - 22% of families live below poverty line so remittances have huge impact on local and national development

  improving political stability between laos, thailand and vietnam
• laos - challenges created by migration


  most economic migrants from laos are low skilled, of limited education and under 18. many travel illegally and are vulnerable to trafficking, forced labour and exploitation. government policy difficult to implement

  loss of skilled labour to thailand which is set to increase if wage differentials remain high and there is free movement in ASEAN

  laos garment industry largest sector of manufacturing employment but growth depends on improved working conditions and the retention of young female workers who may leave, seeking higher wages