Mapping Migration in Lao PDR
Author(s): I. Phetsiriseng
The presentation is based on the ‘Labour Migration Survey' in the Khammuane, Savannakhett and Champassack regions of Lao PDR and ‘Gender Concerns in Migration in Lao PDR' with a total sample size of 39,000 individuals, out of which over 20,000 people have been interviewed. The introductory part of the presentation outlines basic facts about the country: population, economic development, geographical location and strategic importance with regard to neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and China. Based on the results of the survey, the presentation discusses the various significance of different variables, e.g. gender, children, risks and benefits within internal and international migration with the case of Thailand and knowledge about HIV/AIDS. Remittances are seen as a major benefit of migration. In the category of risks different criteria are applied, e.g. no remittance sent to families, families cannot contact and no information on livelihood sent. The main conclusion to be drawn from the study is that migration has dramatically increased in Lao PDR. Moreover, more than one in five migrants are children and contact is lost with more than 50 % of the children. It has been observed that girls aged 10-14 are at greatest risk of trafficking and 49% of males and 33% of females do not know about HIV/AIDS.