3.A - Laos case study of an LIDC

Question 1

LAOS

Answer 1

• has limited influence and restricted response to change within the global migration system
• landlocked LIDC
• 6.8m people
• 73% employed in agriculture
• member of ASEAN
• high levels of human trafficking

Question 2

what key patterns of emigration and immigration are there?

Answer 2

• in 2013, 1.3m Laos emigrants lived abroad (mainly in Thailand)
• 20,000 foreign born immigrants
• farming held no financial gain
• insufficient land available and periodic droughts = food insecurity
• 30-300 people want minimum wage 3x higher
• migrant remittances are main source of income for Laos families
• Vietnam/close countries -> Laos result of government driven, World Bank funded programmes

Question 3

what migration policies exist?

Answer 3

• government policies are ineffective in helping young migrants in forced labour and vulnerability to sex exploitation in Thailand
• UN agencies (ILO, UNICEF + UN WOMEN) and NGOs (Save the Children) implement a more stringent anti-trafficking policy
• National Plan of Action for Human Trafficking by Lao PDR
• awareness campaigns and child protection
• shelters for women who may need counselling
• training border officials/investigate trafficking networks

Question 4

what interdependence is there with countries linked by migration?

Answer 4

• unskilled Laosians -> Thailand migration corridor, contribute to Thai economy through construction/agriculture/fisheries/factory work. then remittances are sent back to Laos for development
• Thailand has access to the sea for Laos and funded a drug treatment centre in Laos
• members of Mekong River Commission - manage flooding/economic activities in the Basin and HEP
• rail links increased. Vietnam built a high speed rail link to China, Laos signed an agreement
• members of COMMIT (against trafficking)

Question 5

what opportunities are created by migration from Laos?

Answer 5

• Laos->Thailand = one of the largest migration corridors in ASEAN. stimulated political and economic cooperation in trade, investment, security and development projects
• bilateral relations w/ Vietnam - 400 investment projects in Laos
• migrant remittances allow poor families to purchase items from simple domestic appliances to agricultural machinery
• political stability is improving between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam
• improved skills and working experience in Thailand.
• those at home held in debt traps so its almost safer to leave and return. no jobs in countryside

Question 6

% below poverty line?

Answer 6

22% of Laos families below poverty line

Question 7

Savannakhet to Thailand example

Answer 7

• 57% of population of Savannakhet in Laos is farming. Largest producer of rice in Laos. Only crop, not all year round.
• move to Thailand to gain income to support family members education and building houses.
• migration decreases poverty in local town

Question 8

what challenges are created by migration from Laos?

Answer 8

• Laos loses skilled workers (mechanics and carpenters)
• on arrival, many young Laotians handed off from 1 employer to another.
• sold to entertainment venues/restaurants/factories
• then these women and girls are sexually exploited
• employers underpay Lao workers and threaten to arrest them if they complain
• young girls are trafficked into Thailand for sex trade/agriculture/domestic work. during 2001-2011, there were more than 1500 cases
• health impacts (physical and mental issues) and disease spreads. migrants lack access to healthcare facilities.
• workplace safety is low
• many travel illegally and are vulnerable to forced labour, human trafficking and exploitation