Laos migration case study Flashcards
Where is Laos and what are some of its key characteristics?
It is a landlocked LIDC located in South East Asia, with a population of 6.8 million. It is a very poor country with a GDP of US$1660 per capita and a HDI rank of 141 out of 188 - very low. 73% of people living there are employed in agriculture. It is a communist state, although started to liberalise in the 1990s. It joined ASEAN in 1997. It has limited influence and restricted ability to respond to change in the global migration system. Remittances bring much needed income. Human trafficking is a major problem for the government. It is heavily reliant on aid. The government anticipates by 2025 hydroelectric power will be the country’s biggest source of revenue
Describe the patterns of emigration in Laos
Net migration of -1.1 person per 1000. 1.3 million Laotians live abroad - mainly in Thailand (930,000). 200,000 live in the USA, other main countries where Laotians reside include Bangladesh and France.
Why is there lots of emigration from Laos (e.g. to Thailand) in relation to subsistence farming?
Many working on land are subsistence farmers, which holds no promise of financial gain. But there is a lack of alternative occupations in rural areas, and there is insufficient land available for farming and periodic droughts, which lead to food insecurity.
What are other reasons for emigration from Laos?
Motivation to follow others who have returned from financially successful migrations
Daily minimum wage in Thailand is 300 baht, compared to only 80 baht in Laos
Many Laotian families rely on remittances as a main source of income (although this creates local social inequalities between those who do receive remittances and those who do not.
Low levels of education in Laos mean many are only suited to low-skilled jobs, as there is demand for in Thailand’s rapidly growing economy.
The Thai language and culture is familiar
There is improved access to Thailand across the Mekong River
Describe the patterns of immigration in Laos
Only 20,000 foreign-born immigrants - mainly Vietnamese (10,000), but also from China, Thailand and Cambodia
What are the reasons for migration into Laos?
Employment opportunities in government-driven policies funded by the World Bank - to link countries in the region by highways, bridges and tunnels. Many Vietnamese immigrants work in construction and mining. Increasing developments in hydroelectric power industry - require construction workers and some highly skilled engineers and technicians to bring expertise.
Describe the problem of human trafficking in Laos
Laos is a major source country for human trafficking. In 2013 36% of the population were under 15 - increasing number of entrants into the work force in a country where opportunities are limited. Vulnerability of migrants to forced labour and sex exploitation in Thailand is of major concern to the government and international organisations.
Recent example is trafficking of underage footballers from Liberia to Laos to play for Champasak United
Have government policies been effective?
No - many young migrants do not obtain required passport and risk fines on return
How have governmental organisations, UN agencies and NGOs aimed to implement a more stringent anti-trafficking policy?
3 stranded approach (3 Ps):
- Prevention - awareness campaigns, education, more child protection, alleviation of poverty reducing the 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, strengthening legal framework
As a member of ASEAN, Laos is subject to its laws on migration. What does this include?
Newly formed ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) aims to allow freer movement of skilled labour from 2015
Mutual Recognition Agreements allow professionals employed in nursing, medicine, dentistry, architecture and tourism to have greater freedom of movement between ASEAN countries after 5 years of working in their country of origin
ASEAN countries are becoming increasingly interdependent. Describe the interdependence between Laos and Thailand
The Laos-Thailand migrant corridor dominated numerically by the outward flow of unskilled Laotians to work in Thailand - contribution to the Thai economy is in construction, agriculture fisheries and factory work - remittances greatly assist development in Laos.
Laos-Thailand Cooperation committee has been established - has helped to strengthen communication and trade - Thailand is principle access to the sea from Laos
Thailand has funded large health service development and a drugs treatment centre in Laos
Laos and Thailand work together as members of the Mekong River Commission to manage flooding and economic activities in the basin and the Don Sahong hydro-power project
Laos signed agreements to build rail links between Thailand and Vietnam in 2012 - will open Laos up to development.
Thailand and Laos are both members of COMMIT which helps combat human trafficking
How does the Laos-Thailand migration corridor create opportunities?
Helps stimulate political and economic cooperation in terms of trade, investment, development projects and security. Creates job opportunities for unskilled Laotian workers who would otherwise be working in subsistence farming
How many projects is Vietnam involved in in Laos?
400 - economic cooperation and reciprocal labour migration. Political stability is improving between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam
Why do Laotians depend on migrant remittances so much?
22% of families live below the poverty line - economic impact of this money on local and national development ranges from basic domestic appliances to agricultural machinery. Laos is dependent on migrant remittances but aims to become less dependent
What are the challenges presented by migration in Laos?
Most economic migrants are low-skilled, of limited education and under 18. Many travel illegally and are vulnerable to human trafficking, forced labour and exploitation
Laos government policies have been difficult to implement due to lack of money and information, and relies on transnational governance by organisations such as the UN, IOM, ILO and NGOs if it going to be successful
There is a loss of skilled labour such as carpenters and mechanics to countries such as Thailand, and this is set to increase as wage differentials remain high and there is freer movement within ASEAN Economic Community - brain drain
Laos garment industry is the largest sector of manufacturing employment in Laos, but many workers, particularly young female workers, leave seeking higher wages and better factory conditions in Thailand
