Lao PDR: preliminary assessment of illegal labour migration and trafficking in children and women for labour exploitation

This report presents the outcomes of a preliminary assessment on illegal labour migration and trafficking in children and women in Lao PDR carried out in late 2000. The assessment was carried out in three provinces of central and southern Lao PDR which share borders with Thailand and have relatively diverse ethnic minority groups: Khammuane, Savannakhet and Champassak.

The assessment examines the incidence of labour migration and trafficking from these provinces into Thailand, presenting official figures from a number of sources (in both Thailand and Lao PDR) and the results of field research in selected districts and communities. It examines the push and pull factors that influence migration, and its socio-economic impact. Based on the suggestions of community members, it recommends areas of intervention that might help to mitigate the problem of illegal labour migration and trafficking.