Title page
Contents
Foreword 5
Acknowledgements 6
Abbreviations and acronyms 9
Executive summary 10
1. Introduction 16
1.1. Labour migration in the Lao People's Democratic Republic 16
1.2. Labour migration of Lao women 17
1.3. Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on Lao migrant workers 18
1.4. Research objectives 18
2. Research approach 19
2.1. Research methodology 19
2.1.1. Desk review 19
2.1.2. In-depth interviews with Lao migrant workers 20
2.1.3. Key informant interviews 20
2.2. Research sample 20
2.3. Limitations 22
3. Research findings 23
3.1. Legal framework for migration in the Lao People's Democratic Republic 23
3.2. Memoranda of understanding with destination countries 24
3.3. Labour migration governance framework in Thailand 25
3.3.1. Regulation of recruitment 25
3.3.2. Labour rights protection 26
3.3.3. Social protection 27
3.4. Labour migration governance framework in Malaysia 28
3.5. Lao migration experiences 28
3.5.1. Pre-departure and transit 29
3.5.2. Employment conditions 33
3.5.3. Return and reintegration 39
3.5.4. Impact of COVID-19 on migration patterns 41
4. Conclusion 42
4.1. Recommendations 43
References 45
Annex 1. Key informant interviews 49
Annex 2. Lao migrant workers in Thailand by sector and legal process (as of 30 December 2021) 50
Table 2.1. Lao migrant workers interviewed by sector and gender 20
Figure 2.1. Lao migrant workers interviewed by home province and gender 21
Figure 3.1. Informal border crossing locations in Savannakhet province 30
Boxes
Box 3.1. The family of a deceased migrant fisher fights for five years to receive compensation 37
Box 3.2. Legal assistance for a child domestic worker abused in Samut Prakarn, Thailand 38