Migration Casestudy: LIDC Laos

Question 1

What is Laos’s population

Answer 1

8 million

Question 2

What is the significance of the Laos casestudy?

Answer 2

Laos has limited influence and restricted ability to respond to change within the global migration system

Question 3

What percent of Laos is employed in agriculture?

Answer 3

73%

Question 4

What is net migration like in Laos?

Answer 4

There is high net migration loss of 1.1 migrants per 1000 population

Question 5

How many Laos people live abroad?

Answer 5

Estimated at 2.5 million in 2018

Question 6

How many foreign born immigrants reside in Laos, and what are their biggest demographic?

Answer 6

20,000 foreign born, who were mainly Vietnamese

Question 7

Where do most Lao migrate?

Answer 7

Thailand

Question 8

For what reasons do the Lao migrate to Thailand?

Answer 8

• Many are subsistence farmers, so farming holds no personal gain or independence
• Lack of alternative occupations for those in rural areas
• Insufficient land for farming and common droughts creating food insecurity
• 80 baht is average pay in Laos, compared to 300 baht daily minimum wage in T.
• Migrant remittances
• There is a demand for unskilled labor in Thailand’s growing economy

Question 9

How is migration between Laos and Thailand made easier?

Answer 9

• Familiarity with Thai culture and language
• Improved access along the Mekong river
• Use of ‘brokers’ to reach Thai border and access employment

Question 10

What motivates migration to Laos?

Answer 10

• Vietnamese are motivated to migrate to Laos as a result of employment opportunities in the government driven, World Bank funded programs which link the countries in the region by highways, bridges and tunnels
• Many work in construction and mining

Question 11

What plan has been used by the Lao government to tackle trafficking?

Answer 11

The National Plan of Action for Human Trafficking

Question 12

What is an example of trafficking in Laos?

Answer 12

Trafficking of underage footballers from Liberia to play for Champasak United.

Question 13

What 3 strands does Lao PDR’s National Plan of Action for Human Trafficking have?

Answer 13

• Prevention: awareness campaigns, education, child protection, alleviation of poverty to reduce need to migrate
• Protection: re integration of returning migrants, including shelters for women who may need counselling
• Prosecution: investigation of trafficking networks, training border officials and strengthening legal framework?

Question 14

Is Laos a member of ASEAN?

Answer 14

Yes

Question 15

What are the laws of migration under ASEAN that affect Laos?

Answer 15

• The ASEAN Economic Community allows freer movement of skilled labor.
• Mutual Recognition Agreements allow professionals employed in nursing, dentistry, medicine and architecture - after 4 years of working in their country - to have greater freedom of movement between ASEAN countries.