13. Migration in Laos (LIDC)

Where is Laos?

South East Asia; small landlocked country that boarders Thailand, China, Vietnam

What is the GDP per capita of Laos?

$1,600

What is Laos’ population?

6.8 million

What is the HDI of Laos?

0.575

What percentage of people work in the primary sector?

73%

What percentage of people live below the poverty line?

22%

Why has Laos lost control of borders?

The extent of poverty and the lack of job opportunities

What is the pattern of migration in Laos?

Net migration loss - 1.1 per 1000 people

How many emigrants from Loas is there? (2013)

1.29 million

How many immigrants are there in Laos?

20,000

Where are emigrants going to?

Thailand, USA, Bangladesh, France

Why are people going to Thailand?

• Neighbouring countries so easier and cheaper to commute

• Thailand needs more low skilled immigrants since it’s population is becoming more educated

• 5% growth in the economy so more money, similar cultures and language

Why are people going to the USA?

Historical links from the Vietnam war created family links

Why are people going to France?

Historical links as it was a former colony - French is the second language in Laos

Where are most immigrants coming from?

Vietnam, China, Thailand, Cambodia

Why are most immigrants coming from these countries?

Boarding counties and similar cultures and languages, political links as most are apart of ASEAN countries

What are the push factors of Laos?

• Surrounded by political unstable counties

• Agricultural work is harder and is reliant of external factors

• Services are less accessible as most people live in mountainous and rural areas

• Food insecurity

• Reliance on remittance

What is the average/minimum wage in Laos and Thailand?

80 baht; 300 baht

How is Laos and Thailand interdependent?

• Dominant migrant corridor;

• Thailand needs migrant workers and Laos needs remittances,

• Thailand invests in health services (Laos and Thailand Cooperation Committee),

• Both manage the Mekong river for energy development

How are Laos and Vietnam interdependent?

Vietnam is building railway links to allow development for Loas; it also invests in projects in Laos

How does the Thailand and Laos corridor create opportunities?

Created political and economic relationships, trade, investment and development projects

How does the bilateral link between Laos and Vietnam create opportunities?

reciprocal labour migration, economic cooperation through investment projects

How does remittances create opportunities?

helps development for the local people and nationally through tax

How does the loss of skilled migrants create challenges?

Less people to help develop Laos - free movement is going to make this worse

How does poor working conditions create challenges?

more people want to leave to other counties with better protection

How does a youthful population of migrants create challenges?

more young people with a lack of experience and education is more vulnerable to exploitation

What is the problem with exploitation?

Many people stay in school until they’re 14 so this leaves a youthful population of people looking for work; they can be exploited by human traffickers who promise work in foreign countries who then put them into the forced labour and sex trafficking industry

What are the most prominent boarders for the exploitation?

Thailand and China

What are countries trying to do to stop this exploitation?

• Prevent through education

• Protect through shelters and support for return migrants

• Prosecute the human traffickers and train the border control workers

How is Laos trying to promote people staying?

Promoting local jobs and offer citizenship to any ASEAN country for anyone who stays for 5 years