Migration - Laos & Thailand CS

Question 1

What is Laos GDP?

Answer 1

$1,660

Question 2

How many Laotians live in Thailand?

Answer 2

69% of 1.3 million

Question 3

What is the net migration loss?

Answer 3

1.1 migrants/ 1000 population

Question 4

How many Laos born emigrants live in Thailand?

Answer 4

930,000

Question 5

How many Laos born emigrants in France + US?

Answer 5

France: 40,000
US: 200,000

Question 6

How many Laos born emigrants lived abroad in 2013?

Answer 6

1.29 million

Question 7

What are the economic reasons for emigration to Thailand?

Answer 7

• Remittances main source of income
• High demand for unskilled workers
• Many Laotians are subsistence farmers -> no financial gain
• Lack of alternative work occupations in rural area in Laos

Question 8

What are the physical reasons from the natural environment for emigration to Thailand?

Answer 8

Periodic droughts -> food insecurity

Question 9

What is the daily minimum wage in Thailand?

Answer 9

300 baht

Question 10

What is the daily minimum wage in Laos?

Answer 10

80 baht

Question 11

How has migration been made easier?

Answer 11

• Familiarity with Thai culture and language
• Improved access across the Mekong
• Use of brokers to reach the Thai border and access employment in Thailand

Question 12

What are the social challenges for origin country?

Answer 12

• Vulnerability to human trafficking
• Forced labour + exploitation of under 18

Question 13

What are the economic challenges for origin country?

Answer 13

Laos garment industry big sector -> growth depends on improved working conditions

Question 14

Evidence of human trafficking in Laos.

Answer 14

In 2013 36% of the population were under 15

Question 15

What are the economic opportunities from the relationship?

Answer 15

• Higher wages
• The migration corridor is the biggest in ASEAN -> stimulates, trade, investment and security
• Bilateral relation with Vietnam also extended beyond reciprocal labour migration

Question 16

What are the political opportunities from the relationship?

Answer 16

• Political stability between Laos, Thailand and Vietnam

Question 17

How many investment projects in Laos?

Answer 17

400

Question 18

How much of Laos families live below poverty line?

Answer 18

22%

Question 19

How has interdependence been influenced?

Answer 19

• Laos and Thailand manage flooding and economic activities in the basin -> members of Mekong River Commission
• Laos and Thailand members of COMMIT ( combat human trafficking)
• Laos signed agreements to build rail way links between Thai + Vietnam

Question 20

Have government policies been effective?

Answer 20

No - many young migrants do not obtain required passport and risk fines on return

Question 21

What is the national plan for human trafficking led by Lao PDR government?

Answer 21

1. Prevention -> awareness and education
2. Protection -> shelters for women
3. Prosecution -> training border officials

Question 22

What are some of the anti-trafficking policies?

Answer 22

• ILO
• UNICEF
• NGOs e.g., Save the Children

Question 23

What are the reasons for migration into Laos?

Answer 23

• Increasing developments in hydroelectric power industry - require construction workers and some highly skilled engineers and technicians to bring expertise.

Question 24

How does Laos have limited influence on the global migration system?

Answer 24

• Government does not have an accurate record of migrants (due to a lack of money able to be invested in border control, censuses)
• There is no control on the economies of the countries bordering Laos