Laos Migration

Question 1

Why does Laos receive challenges from migration and have limited influence on global migration system

Answer 1

• Landlocked LIDC
• GDP per capita of $1,660 - 2014 - poor
• 73% employment in agriculture
• Emigration dominates = -1.1/1000
• Human trafficking
• Brain drain

Question 2

Why does Laos have high emigration

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

Migration policies

Answer 3

• 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

Question 4

Interdependence with Thailand - economic

Answer 4

• 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

Question 5

Interdependence with Thailand (and others) - political,social, enviro

Answer 5

• 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 bridges (4)
• COMMIT - Coordinated Mekong Ministerial Initiative against Trafficking - Laos and Thailand are members

Question 6

Socio-Economic Opportunities for Laos

Answer 6

• 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

Question 7

Opportunities for Laos from bi-lateral relations

Answer 7

• 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

Question 8

Economic Challenges for Laos

Answer 8

• loss of skilled labourers (braindrain) such as carpenters in Thailand - 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 (PFL)

Question 9

Social Challenges for Laos

Answer 9

• Human trafficking - 200,000 people trafficked/year
• Young women enticed into sex work or trafficked into sex industry
• Heath - many migrants work in poor conditions and have bad treatment causing poor mental and physical health
• Falling young population in Laos - birth rate reducing