Migration - Case Study - Laos - LIDC

Question 1

Where do most people from Laos emigrate to?

Answer 1

Thailand

Question 2

Does Laos have a net migration gain or loss?

Answer 2

Net migration loss. This means that more people are emigrating from Laos than are immigrating into Laos.

Question 3

Explain four factors that have made it easier to migrate to Thailand?

Answer 3

1. Similar language and culture
2. Improved access across Mekong
3. Growth of ‘brokers’ who can help get jobs in Thailand
4. ILO job fairs in Laos which help Laotians get stable opportunities in Thailand

Question 4

Outline the 3 strands of Laos ‘National Plan of Action’ with examples of how they are doing this

Answer 4

Prevention - poverty alleviation, awareness campaigns and education

Protection - reintegration of returning migrants / shelters for women who have been trafficked

Prosecution - border official training, investigation trafficking networks, stronger laws

Question 5

Main reasons for mass emigration to Thailand for Laos migrants [5]

Answer 5

1) Few opportunities apart from agriculture in rural areas

2) Droughts & lack of available land for farming = food insecurity for population

3) Successful migrants who make money act as motivation for more to migrate

4) Min. wage in Thailand higher = 300 baht (Laos = 80 baht)

5)Thai economy needs unskilled labour for growing economy (i.e construction)

Question 6

How is International Labour Organisation (ILO) trying to make Laos-Thai migration safer?

Answer 6

ILO setting up job fairs in Laos to reduce trafficking (as have a job before they go) and generally provide clear advice for migrants (i.e where to get accomodation/scams to watch out for)

Question 7

Which trading bloc is Laos part of?

Answer 7

ASEAN

Question 8

Which professions have freer movement because Laos is part of same trading bloc as Thailand?

Answer 8

Skilled professionals - i.e nursing, medicine, dentists, architects

Question 9

How are Laos-Thailand becoming more interdependent on each other? (6 ideas)

Answer 9

1) Laos providing Thai economy with unskilled labour for growing agriculture, factory work & construction; Laotians send home remittances

2) Communciation and trade between countries improved (building of Friendship Bridge over Mekong River to connect countries better)

3) Co-operating together to manage flooding on Mekong (Mekong River Comission)

4) Joint projects together (i.e Don Sahong Dam - hydroelectric power)

5) High Speed rail links linking Laos, Thailand and Vietnam

6) Working together on Trafficking Issue - i.e COMMIT initiative

Question 10

Opportunities created for Laos due to migration with Thailand? (4 ideas)

Answer 10

1) Has increased co-operation between Thailand and Vietnam on trade , investment & joint projects (i.e Vietnam have invested in 400 projects in Laos)

2) Remittances are very important can be used for buying agricultural machinery/domestic goods back in Laos - i.e 22% of Laotians live below povety line

3) Remittances help spark ‘multiplier effect’ local and regionally in Laos

4) Improved political stability between Vietnam, Laos and Thailand as now rely on each other for labour, trade etc due to migration

Question 11

Challenges created for Laos due to migration with Thailand? (3 ideas)

Answer 11

1) Most Laotian migrants = under 18, low skilled and poorly education when 1st migrate = leads to lots of trafficking/exploitation issues

2 )Skilled workers lost to Thailand (i.e carpenters/mechanics/nurses) = ‘brain drain’ which holds back Laotian economy

3) Some industries in Laos held back due to people moving to Thailand (i.e garment industry = largest manufacturer but losing female workers to Thai for better pay)