Laos:

What is the human trafficking situation in Lao PDR?

Human trafficking is closely linked to rising legal and illegal labour migration. There is a long history of migration to Thailand due to proximity, cultural and linguistic similarities, and better
economic conditions. In July 2004 there were 181,614 Lao migrants registered in Thailand, but there may be an additional 80,000 unregistered. More women than men migrate (55%: 45%), and the vast majority of Lao migrants are from the lowlands of the country.

Most migrants are 17 to 25 years of age, but 21% of migrants interviewed in a major survey were only ten to 17. Most cases of human trafficking start as voluntary movement or migration. Lao PDR is mainly a source country for human trafficking and the main destination is Thailand. Trafficking of Laotians to Myanmar and China for the purposes of buying and selling brides has also been reported. So far, trafficking from China and Vietnam into sexual exploitation in Lao PDR or through Lao PDR to Thailand seems less prevalent. Internal trafficking is found to be common, but it receives less attention than cross-border trafficking.

Who is being trafficked in Lao PDR, and what are some of the vulnerability factors?

Human trafficking is a tragic violation of human rights that affects women, men and children of Lao PDR. Trafficked persons experience various difficulties ranging from physical and mental health issues, to economic difficulties, and social reintegration issues. Girls and women may face more problems with the authorities upon their return, due to the suspicion of having been engaged in sex work in Thailand.

According to the first national survey on human trafficking, in 2004, the typical profile of a trafficking person in Lao PDR is:
-Girl between 12 – 18 years of age (60%) originating from rural areas, but not the most remote.
-Mostly from the Lao or Tai ethnic group from the lowlands of Lao PDR, but with proportional over-representation of persons from Mon-Khmer and Tibeto-Burman ethnic groups.
-The number of trafficked persons from resettled villages is disproportionately high.
-Often-cited vulnerability factors are poverty, lack of education, awareness and employment, or dysfunctional families. But: It is often a combination of factors that makes a person vulnerable to trafficking. It can also be that a lack of relevant educational opportunities, and not a lack of education, is a vulnerability factor. Often it is not the poorest of the poor that are trafficked, but poverty may be a risk factor because of its association with low status in the community.
-The lack of labour rights and law enforcement in the domestic sector adds to the vulnerability of women and girls. They are not provided with working contracts even they go through legal channels.

What is the scale of human trafficking in and from Lao PDR?

No universally accepted estimate of the number of trafficked persons exists in Lao PDR. One source puts it at 21,816 trafficking cases from rural areas in Laos to Thailand over the last ten years. This means that 1.4% of the total Lao migrant work force in Thailand is considered to be at high risk.

Who are the perpetrators of human trafficking in Lao PDR?

There is generally limited information about the perpetrators of human trafficking. The focus has generally been on the recruiters or the brokers, but less on the ones who own the factories, brothels, fishing-boats etc. where most of the exploitation takes place. In other words, in the counter-trafficking sector there has been more focus on the trafficking
aspects related to movement compared to exploitation taking place at the destination sites.
The recruiters for either internal or cross-border trafficking are often familiar to the persons and there is little difference in the methods used for either internal or cross-border trafficking.
It is important to note that there are various types of recruiters ranging from those who knowingly send persons in to exploitative situations and others who feel responsible for the wellbeing of the persons who use their services.
Trafficking networks are often well structured and work across the borders through the use of brokers.

SIREN human trafficking data sheet
STRATEGIC INFORMATION RESPONSE NETWORK
United Nations Inter-Agency Project on Human Trafficking (UNIAP)