3a. Issues with unequal flows of global migration - LIDC Case Study Flashcards
Laos PDR
Case study of an LIDC with limited influence and restricted response to global migration system
Laos PDR
Why does the LIDC Laos PDR have limited influence over and restricted response to global migration system?
Poverty & lack of opportunities mean they have limited control over migration
Laos PDR development statistics (GDP per capita, life expectancy, HDI, % living below poverty line)?
GDP per capita = $1600
Life expectancy = 66
HDI = 0.575
22% of population live below poverty line
Number of Laos born emigrants living abroad? Destination countries?
Total 1.29 million Laos born emigrants live abroad (NET MIGRATION LOSS)
- Thailand = 930,000
- USA (skilled workers)
- Bangladesh
- France (French is spoken in Laos as result of French colony)
Number of foreign born immigrants living in Laos? Source countries? Why?
Only 200,000 foreign born immigrants
- Vietnam 10,000
- China
- Thailand
(for family reunification or setting up business in Laos for cheap labour)
Push factors from Laos PDR?
- subsistence farming is only occupation in rural areas (lack of opportunities)
- food insecurity from drought
- minimum wage in Thailand is £6.68 compared to Laos £1.78
- following others who successfully migrated
Pull factors fro Thailand?
- huge demand fro labour in rapidly growing economy
- familiar Thai culture
- improved access across Mekong river
Pull factors fro Thailand?
- huge demand fro labour in rapidly growing economy
- familiar Thai culture
- improved access across Mekong river
Who is exploited by this migration? Why?
WOMEN/GIRLS:
- human traffickers exploit women for commercial sex & forced domestic labour
- sold as brides in China
MEN/BOYS:
- traffickers exploit them in forced labour in agriculture, construction etc
- usually from poor rural areas seeking opportunity
How have government made the return of the migrants difficult?
Illegal migrants are fined if they don’t have their passport
Policies put in place by the government to reduce exploitation?
- Prevention: awareness campaigns, education, alleviation of poverty
- Protection: shelters for women who might need counselling (or rejecting by family)
- Persecution: investigating trafficking networks
How are Laos and its neighbours interdependent through migration?
- Signed agreements with Thailand for rail links between Thailand and Vietnam to open up Laos to development
- Remittances
- Thailand dependent on the flow on unskilled workers
What political opportunities has migration created for Laos?
Improvement in political stability between Laos, Thailand & Vietnam
What economic opportunities has migration created for Laos?
Migrant remittances very important (22% of population living below poverty line) - helps with development
Challenges for Laos caused by migration?
- Most migrants uneducated & under 18 - vulnerable to exploitation, forced labour
- losing most skilled migrants
- Poor investment in industry in Laos - garment industry largest sector but poor working conditions drive migration
