Lesson 11
Global Migration
Why is Lao’s (LIDC) influence on global migration so small?
Laos (officially known as Lao People’s Democratic
Republic) is a landlocked LIDC of 6.8 million people,
located in Southeast Asia. It is a poor country (GDP per
capita $7,800 (2019)) – 18% below poverty line with
73% employed in agriculture . Although a communist
state, it has been a member of ASEAN since 1997 and
increasingly has encouraged private enterprise. Net
migration loss is high (1.1 migrants per thousand
population). Remittances bring much needed income,
but human trafficking is a major problem for the
government.
Patterns of emigration and immigration:
In 2013, 1.29 million Laos- born immigrants lived abroad, mainly in
Thailand, and only 20,000 foreign born immigrants, mainly Vietnamese,
lived in Laos. In addition to the opportunities for increased economic
growth, the new economic corridors and trade routes facilitate the
movement of people, including irregular and unsafe migration, human
trafficking and movement of disease across borders. Many Lao, however,
particularly from the rural areas where jobs are scarce and low-paid,
continue to cross to Thailand for work. They are drawn by higher wages,
the ease with which they can integrate into a country with a similar
language and cultural traditions, the system of border passes which allows
simple entry into Thailand for short periods, and porous borders where
people are able to cross back and forth with no record of their
movements. There are an estimated 200,000 migrant workers officially in
the country, mostly in the construction sector, where Chinese and
Vietnamese contractors and investors prefer to employ their compatriots
because of their experience, ease of communication (speak the same
language) and willingness to work for
lower wage
, Lesson 11
Global Migration
The main reasons for emigration to Thailand include:
Many of those working on the land are subsistence farmers so
farming holds no promise of financial gain or personal
independence.
There is a lack of alternative occupations in rural areas
There is insufficient land available for farming and periodic
droughts which lead to food insecurity.
There is a strong motivation to follow others who have
returned from financially successful migrations.
The daily minimum wage in Thailand is 300 baht compared
with 80 baht in Laos; average monthly earnings for Laos
migrants in Thailand is approximately 6800 baht.
For many families in Laos migrant remittances are the main
source of income
Low levels of education in Laos means that many are suited
only to unskilled jobs; there is insatiable demand for unskilled
labour in Thailand’s rapidly growing economy.
The migrations have been made easier by: familiarity with
Thai culture and language, improved access across the
Mekong, use of ‘brokers’ to reach the Thai border and access
employment in Thailand
Migration to Laos from neighbouring countries, especially Vietnam, is
largely the result of employment opportunities in the government driven
World Bank- funded programmes linking the countries in the region by
highways, bridges, and tunnels. Many Vietnamese immigrants working in
construction and mining.
Migration policies:
Laos is a major source country for human trafficking. In 2016 33% of the
population were under 15 years old so there are a large number of young
adults entering the workforce (25,000 a year roughly) but a very small
number of opportunities available for them. Young migrants are
vulnerable to forced labour and
sex exploitation in Thailand. This is
a major concern to government
and international organisations.
Government policies have been
ineffective at controlling this. Many
young migrants do not obtain the
required passport and risk fines
when they return to Laos. The
government are now working with
organisations like Save the
Global Migration
Why is Lao’s (LIDC) influence on global migration so small?
Laos (officially known as Lao People’s Democratic
Republic) is a landlocked LIDC of 6.8 million people,
located in Southeast Asia. It is a poor country (GDP per
capita $7,800 (2019)) – 18% below poverty line with
73% employed in agriculture . Although a communist
state, it has been a member of ASEAN since 1997 and
increasingly has encouraged private enterprise. Net
migration loss is high (1.1 migrants per thousand
population). Remittances bring much needed income,
but human trafficking is a major problem for the
government.
Patterns of emigration and immigration:
In 2013, 1.29 million Laos- born immigrants lived abroad, mainly in
Thailand, and only 20,000 foreign born immigrants, mainly Vietnamese,
lived in Laos. In addition to the opportunities for increased economic
growth, the new economic corridors and trade routes facilitate the
movement of people, including irregular and unsafe migration, human
trafficking and movement of disease across borders. Many Lao, however,
particularly from the rural areas where jobs are scarce and low-paid,
continue to cross to Thailand for work. They are drawn by higher wages,
the ease with which they can integrate into a country with a similar
language and cultural traditions, the system of border passes which allows
simple entry into Thailand for short periods, and porous borders where
people are able to cross back and forth with no record of their
movements. There are an estimated 200,000 migrant workers officially in
the country, mostly in the construction sector, where Chinese and
Vietnamese contractors and investors prefer to employ their compatriots
because of their experience, ease of communication (speak the same
language) and willingness to work for
lower wage
, Lesson 11
Global Migration
The main reasons for emigration to Thailand include:
Many of those working on the land are subsistence farmers so
farming holds no promise of financial gain or personal
independence.
There is a lack of alternative occupations in rural areas
There is insufficient land available for farming and periodic
droughts which lead to food insecurity.
There is a strong motivation to follow others who have
returned from financially successful migrations.
The daily minimum wage in Thailand is 300 baht compared
with 80 baht in Laos; average monthly earnings for Laos
migrants in Thailand is approximately 6800 baht.
For many families in Laos migrant remittances are the main
source of income
Low levels of education in Laos means that many are suited
only to unskilled jobs; there is insatiable demand for unskilled
labour in Thailand’s rapidly growing economy.
The migrations have been made easier by: familiarity with
Thai culture and language, improved access across the
Mekong, use of ‘brokers’ to reach the Thai border and access
employment in Thailand
Migration to Laos from neighbouring countries, especially Vietnam, is
largely the result of employment opportunities in the government driven
World Bank- funded programmes linking the countries in the region by
highways, bridges, and tunnels. Many Vietnamese immigrants working in
construction and mining.
Migration policies:
Laos is a major source country for human trafficking. In 2016 33% of the
population were under 15 years old so there are a large number of young
adults entering the workforce (25,000 a year roughly) but a very small
number of opportunities available for them. Young migrants are
vulnerable to forced labour and
sex exploitation in Thailand. This is
a major concern to government
and international organisations.
Government policies have been
ineffective at controlling this. Many
young migrants do not obtain the
required passport and risk fines
when they return to Laos. The
government are now working with
organisations like Save the
