IOM, the Lao PDR Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MLSW) and
the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) today signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on the return and reintegration of Lao
trafficking victims and other vulnerable Lao migrants trafficked
within the Mekong Region.



Lao women and children are mainly trafficked to Thailand, where
they are often exploited as forced labour in sweatshops, factories
and as domestic workers. Since 2001, IOM and the Lao MSLW have
worked together under a regional project to return and reintegrate
807 such victims.



IOM has also worked with the MSLW to establish a transit centre for
returnees and build capacity in the Lao PDR in areas including
integration assistance to returnees, in partnership with the LWU.




Today’s MOU will facilitate and strengthen the implementation
of joint activities between IOM, the MLSW and the LWU in return and
reintegration assistance for trafficked and other vulnerable Lao
women and children in line with Lao PDR government policy.

Cooperation is expected to focus on three areas:

• Return and Reintegration Assistance: To support the activities
  of the Lao PDR government and other agencies involved in the return
  and reintegration of trafficked and other vulnerable Lao women and
  children.
• Capacity Building and Professional Development: To increase the
  capacity of MLSW and LWU staff to respond to key challenges related
  to trafficking - specifically how to provide better return and
  reintegration assistance, and how to build national and provincial
  victim referral networks.
• Research and Information: To conduct research into the
  practical return and reintegration concerns of trafficked and other
  vulnerable migrant women and children and their communities.

For further information, please contact:

Lance Bonneau

IOM Bangkok

Tel. +66899228826.

E-mail: "mailto:lbonneau@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">lbonneau@iom.int