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Lao PDR is a developing country, with a growing economy.
Young people in urban areas are entering the workforce
with more skills and can find opportunities.
But for people in rural areas and those with fewer skills,
the draw of higher wages continues to lead many of them
to work in neighbouring Thailand.
The Thammavong family has lived in this village for many years.
Chansamai Thammavong earns a living
by weaving cloth for traditional Laotian clothing.
Her husband Pasanmith is a labourer, but also spends time farming and fishing.
They’ve decided to migrate across the border
to search for more formal employment in neighbouring Thailand.
“People say the money is good over there.
So I want to go to work there too.”
“My hope from migrating is that we can earn more money
to buy the things we need.
This is the home of my parents. We need our own house.”
The couple has heard a radio advertisement
about a job fair this weekend in the provincial capital Pakse
and they plan to attend.
This is the second job fair of its kind to be held in Lao PDR,
and the first in the south of the country.
It’s hosted by the Department of Skills Development and Employment
and sponsored by the International Labour Organization
through the support of AusAID, the Australian Government’s Aid Programme.
In line with the Government’s priorities,
the job fair is promoting local employment
as well as opportunities available across the border in Thailand.
The government is using this event as a way to connect would-be migrants
with licensed recruitment agencies
because migrating through these legal channels
offers better protection against any potential exploitation.
“There have been many Lao people
who are working in neighbouring countries illegally.
They may be exploited by human trafficking
so I think that is very useful for this. “
“The management of migration is a key issue for the future
of the Lao social and economic development.
We at ILO are ready, we do have the mandate,
we do have the technical expertise
so we are working also together with other UN agencies
to provide our technical support to the government.”
The jobs fair is well attended.
Staff are here from the ILO
supported Migrant Worker Resource Centre
to provide information and counselling to potential migrants.
While many applicants would prefer working closer to home
–higher wages and a sense of adventure are drawing many to work abroad.
“News of this job fair was advertised at our college,
so we decided to come along.”
“I want to work as an administrator.
If I can go abroad
and work in a country with a more developed economy
I will learn more.”
The combination of formalizing employment services
and an increasing public awareness about how to migrate safely
is having an impact –
and more people are using the recruitment agencies.
“At present, a number of Laotians who want to work in Thailand
and come to see us have been increasing
because they want to migrate through regular channel
in order to have legal status.”
“Workers who have been recruited and sent by us
are guaranteed that they will be given protection,
welfare and good money as per the regulation
of Thailand and they are equal to Thai workers”
As for Pasanmith and Chansamai,
going through the recruitment agency has paid off.
They’ve managed to secure 2 jobs at a plywood factory in Thailand.
Their 20 year old son is also planning to migrate to the same province.
The family is looking forward to the move.
“I want the same things as my wife. We want our own house
and a brighter future.
I think going through the government approved employment agencies
is the safest way to migrate for work.”
Decent work can be found in many places.
Sometimes it’s close to home and sometimes it’s not.
Migrating for work can be profitable but it requires accurate information,
support and careful planning.