Labour Migation in the Lao Labour Migation in the Lao PDRPDR

Presentation OverviewPresentation Overview

• The Migration Situation in Lao PDRThe Migration Situation in Lao PDR

• Human Trafficking in Lao PDRHuman Trafficking in Lao PDR

• Mechanisms and Structure Mechanisms and Structure

• Regional and International Regional and International Cooperation and Development of Cooperation and Development of LegislationLegislation

• Counter-Trafficking StrategiesCounter-Trafficking Strategies

1. The Migration Situation in 1. The Migration Situation in Lao PDRLao PDR

• Lao PDR is located in the GMS region Lao PDR is located in the GMS region and shares borders with five countries.and shares borders with five countries.

• The country has an open- market The country has an open- market economy in the globalized era.economy in the globalized era.

• The socio- economic sector in Lao PDR The socio- economic sector in Lao PDR is developing.is developing.

• Regional economic disparities push Regional economic disparities push people to look for better livelihood people to look for better livelihood opportunities.opportunities.

1. The Migration Situation in 1. The Migration Situation in Lao PDRLao PDR• Lao PDR shares a long border with Thailand .The two Lao PDR shares a long border with Thailand .The two

countries also have similar languages and cultures.countries also have similar languages and cultures.• There is a lack of information concerning legal There is a lack of information concerning legal

migration channels.migration channels.• In the past few years, there were more than 200,000 In the past few years, there were more than 200,000

Lao people working illegally in Thailand. This number Lao people working illegally in Thailand. This number includes more than 100,000 women .includes more than 100,000 women .

• There are 8,764 of the Lao working in Thailand There are 8,764 of the Lao working in Thailand obtained employment through a recruitment obtained employment through a recruitment agency.agency.

• 60,000 are working with a work permit60,000 are working with a work permit• 14,000 are working without a work permit14,000 are working without a work permit

2. The human Trafficking 2. The human Trafficking Situation in Lao PDRSituation in Lao PDR

• There is a high risk of human There is a high risk of human trafficking due to high levels of trafficking due to high levels of migration.migration.

• In the peried 2002-2009 there were In the peried 2002-2009 there were 1332 people repatriated to Lao PDR 1332 people repatriated to Lao PDR from Thailand through the human from Thailand through the human trafficking MOU. trafficking MOU.

3. Mechanisms and 3. Mechanisms and Structure Structure • In 2004 Lao PDR has signed MOU on In 2004 Lao PDR has signed MOU on

human trafficking with GMS countrieshuman trafficking with GMS countries• In 2004 Lao PDR established the NSC In 2004 Lao PDR established the NSC

on HT and its Secretariaton HT and its Secretariat• In 2005 the Lao PDR has signed MOU In 2005 the Lao PDR has signed MOU

on Human Trafficking with Thailandon Human Trafficking with Thailand• In 2002 the Lao PDR has signed MOU In 2002 the Lao PDR has signed MOU

on labour migration with Thailand on labour migration with Thailand

4. Regional and International 4. Regional and International Cooperation and Development Cooperation and Development of Legislationof Legislation• In 1985 ( CEDAW) In 1985 ( CEDAW)

• In 1991 ( CRC ) In 1991 ( CRC )

• In 2003 ratified the Convention on In 2003 ratified the Convention on Transnational Organized Crime.Transnational Organized Crime.

• In 2005 ratified ILO Convention , 138 and 182 In 2005 ratified ILO Convention , 138 and 182

• Lao PDR is a member of the COMMIT MOU.Lao PDR is a member of the COMMIT MOU.

• We cooperate with a wide range of UN We cooperate with a wide range of UN agencies, NGOs and inter- governmental agencies, NGOs and inter- governmental organizations.organizations.

5. Counter- Trafficking 5. Counter- Trafficking StrategiesStrategies• Lao PDR is implementing a poverty alleviation Lao PDR is implementing a poverty alleviation

strategy which aims to eliminate poverty by strategy which aims to eliminate poverty by 2020.2020.

• The Lao PDR is strengthening the implementation The Lao PDR is strengthening the implementation of the Lao – Thai MOU on labour migrationof the Lao – Thai MOU on labour migration

• The Lao PDR will be implementing the CSECThe Lao PDR will be implementing the CSEC• The Lao government is in the process of The Lao government is in the process of

approving the NPA on Human Trafficking ( 2007 – approving the NPA on Human Trafficking ( 2007 – 2002 ). 2002 ).

Thank you ! Thank you !