Laos’ younger population could help fill the worker gap next door while its own economy sputters.

Thailand’s aging population will bring more job possibilities for young migrant workers from Laos in the coming years, a senior Thai labor official said at a recent conference on migration in Bangkok.

 

An estimated 230,000 Laotians already do domestic work, construction and farming in Thailand, according to Thailand’s Ministry of Labor. They are among 2.6 million migrant workers in the country – most of whom come from Southeast Asia, the ministry said. 

But Thai companies have been asking the government over the last two years for an additional 400,000 migrant workers to serve a growing economy, said Decha Pruekphathanarak, the deputy permanent secretary at the ministry.

 

“We lack laborers, and the only way to fill the gap is to import workers from nearby countries,” he said at the Dec. 17 conference organized by the International Organization for Migration, or IOM.

 

Thailand’s birth rate has fallen over the last decade. At the same time, Laos’ economy continues to struggle with inflation, a devalued currency and low pay, leaving its young population without much opportunity.

 

By RFA Lao

TOP: Lao citizens travel to Thailand for work, July 28, 2023. (RFA). Photo: RFA

 

Full story: RADIO FREE ASIA 2024-01-03

 

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21 minutes ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s aging population will bring more job possibilities for young migrant workers from Laos in the coming years, a senior Thai labor official said at a recent conference on migration in Bangkok.

...i see problems here, what about Laos' aging population then ? where will  young  migrant workers come from?

1 hour ago, Pique Dard said:

...i see problems here, what about Laos' aging population then ? where will  young  migrant workers come from?

One day Thailand's leaders will encounter concepts such as 'modern technology' and 'productivity' ...

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand’s aging population will bring more job possibilities for young migrant workers from Laos in the coming years, a senior Thai labor official said at a recent conference on migration in Bangkok.

In around 20-30 years time Thailands population will consist of Thai retirees and migrant workers.

All other Thais of working age [if they have any sense] wil have exited abroad to work

4 hours ago, Pique Dard said:

...i see problems here, what about Laos' aging population then ? where will  young  migrant workers come from?

The lowest paying countries as they always have done