Laos Migration Flashcards
Why does Laos receive challenges from migration and have limited influence on global migration system
Landlocked LIDC
GDP per capita of $1,660 - 2014 - poor
73% employment in agriculture
Emigration dominates = -1.1/1000
Issues with trafficking
Brain drain
Why does Laos have high emigration
73% employment in agriculture
Low wages vs high in Thailand - 80 baht vs 300 baht/day
Demand for low skilled employment in Thailand
Sex industry in Thailand - mostly informal
Upkeep of migrant remittances as main source of income
Migration policies
Pro-emigration - ASEAN - freer movement of people and capital
repatriation and reintegration for returning migrants
Aiming to reduce human trafficking
36% of their population is under 15 so at large risk
Have worked with NGOs and UN to develop anti-trafficking policy - awareness campaigns and improved education
Interdependence with Thailand - economic
Corridor dominated by unskilled Laos workers to Thailand - plug gaps in low skilled industry and boost growing economy
Migrants then return remittances - $435 million in 2021 - 2% of GDP
Interdependence with Thailand (and others) - political,social, enviro
ASEAN - promotes political co-operation between SE Asian countries
Thailand and Laos work together on Mekong River Commission to manage flood risk and hydro electric power
Laos-Thailand Co-operation Committee - Friendship bridge
COMMIT - Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking - Laos and Thailand are members
Socio-Economic Opportunities for Laos
Migrant remittances - $435 million in 2021, 2% of GDP - important as 22% of families live below poverty line - creates positive multiplier
Returning migrants have new skills that help improve workplace safety, development of new industries and work discipline
Opportunities for Laos from bi-lateral relations
Bi-lateral relations with Thailand - 400 economic co-operation investment projects in Laos - including investment in railways
The migration corridor between Laos-Thailand is one of largest in ASEAN - helps to stimulate trade, investment, development projects and security
Economic Challenges for Laos
There is a loss of skilled labourers such as carpenters in Thailand - this is set to increase due to wage differentials and freer movement in the ASEAN Economic community.
Huge emigration and boost to Thai economy is creating a growing development gap between Laos and Thailand - will increase migration to Thailand
Many young workers leaving Laos - less workers
Social Challenges for Laos
Human trafficking - large issue with human trafficking over the border - likely almost 200,000 people trafficked/year
Young women enticed into sex work or trafficked into sex industry - often forced labour/slavery
Laos government policy has struggled to regulate trafficking
Heath - many migrants work in poor conditions and have bad treatment causing poor mental and physical health, many return with diseases that they bring back
Falling young population in Laos - birth rate reducing
