3.a. Case study of one LIDC to show how it has limited influence over and restricted response to the global migration system - LAOS

general overview of Laos (location, GDP, predominant industry, life expectancy)

- mainland south east asia - landlocked but also borders Thailand and VIetnam and Cambodia

- GDP per capita = $2,568

- 73% employed in agriculture but only accounts for 16% of GDP, vs industry and services which account for 73% of GDP

- life expectancy = 65 years

Destination countries (patterns of emigration)

1) 930 000 in Thailand

2) 200 000 in USA

3) 90 000 in Bangladesh

Source countries (patterns of immigration)

1) VIetnam 10 000

2) China <10,000

Reasons for emigration to Thailand

- dissatisfaction of working on the land, many subsistence farmers so farming holds no promise of financial gains

- lack of alternative occupations in rural areas

- monthly minimum wage in Laos is $120 vs in Thailand its more than double

- low levels of education producing feedback loop of poverty

- Laos people are only suited to unskilled jobs and in Thailand's rapidly growing economy there is insatiable demand for unskilled labour

- Second Indochinese war in 1975, 102 000 were refugees and were forced to move to france usa etc

remittances sent back to Laos

- $149 million

signifcance of NEM in 1986

- major policy shift from a centrally planned socialist economy to a market-oriented one in Laos despite communist policies

- encouraged more female opportunities

migration policies in Laos

- AS a member of ASEAN, allows freer movement of skilled labour from 2015 - Mutual Recognition Agreements allow certain professions to have greater freedom of movement e.g. nursing, mediciens, dentistry

- Laos is a source for human trafficking, as 30% of population is under 15 makes them vulnerable to forced labour and sex exploitation, however Lao PDR ministry of labour work in co - operation with charities such as the UN to implement a more stringent anti trafficking policy. A strategy includes Prevention, Protection and Prosecution

why is migration easy to Thailand

- familiarity with Thai culture and language

- short distance and porous borders where people are able to cross back and forth with no tracking of their movements

- improved access along the Mekong river

interdependence with countries linked to Laos by migration

- ASEAN countries are becoming increasingly interdependent illustrated by Laos-Thailiand relationship

- Laos-Thailand migration corridor is dominated numerically by the outward flow of unskilled Laotians to work in Thailand. They contribute to the economy via construction, agriculture, fisheries and factory work

- the remittances of $149 million assist development in Laos

- Laos Thailand Cooperation Committee has been established which has strengthened communication and trade. E.g. Thailand is the principal access to the sea for Laos and they have funded a large health service development and drugs treatment centre in Laos

opportunities

- migration corridor between Laos and Thailand has helped stimulate political and economic co-operation in terms of trade, investment and development
- Good for need for labour

- bilateral relations with VIetnam also extend beyond reciprocal labour migration. Economic co-operation with vietname involved in 400+ investment projects

- migrant remittances are very important. 22% of families in Laos live below the poverty line.

- political stability is improving between Laos, Thailand and VIetnam

challenges

- most economic migrants from Laos are low skilled, of limited education and under 18 during first migration. Many travel illegally and are very vulnerable to human trafficking. Policies against this have been difficult to implement and depends on transnational governance by organisations such IOM.

- movement of disease across borders

- loss of skilled labour to Thailand. This is set to increase if wage differentials increase

- growth of largest industry in Laos - garment - but depends on improved working conditions as currently many women leave for better conditions in Thailand.

what protocols were made in 2003

- human trafficking and migrant supply