LABOR EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN COFFEE PRODUCTION IN SOUTHERN LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

Abstract

General debate on the issue of labor employment is related to employment opportunity, pattern of labor employment, the contribution to labor employment, and the impact of labor employment on livelihoods. This paper examines labor employment opportunities through different ethnic perspectives, especially labor employment opportunities in coffee production, a non-traditional agricultural export (NTAE) product, as a case. The objectives of this study are to investigate the pattern of labor employment and to examine the impacts of the employment on the labor livelihoods. Qualitative method was applied to collect empirical data in four villages and five coffee planter-exporter companies in Pakxong District, Champasak Province, and Lao Ngam District, Salavanh Province, Lao PDR. Stakeholder consultation was held in relation to promotion of NTAE. Data analysis for this paper includes thematic analysis and narrative method. Findings show that there are many patterns of labor employment in coffee production: daily paid employment, monthly paid employment, and contracting employment. Wage laborers are from different ethnic groups who live in the same village, villages from outside, nearby villages, districts in the same province, and other provinces. Generally, the employment provides laborer with benefits. The laborers receive wage income and other additional benefits from employment in coffee production. The laborers benefit the most from a monthly salary and contracted employment compared to daily paid employment. The monthly paid employment secures employment status, provides additional benefits including welfare schemes such as medical care, accommodation, food provision, and telecommunication fees. The laborers, however, prefer to work as daily labor which provides incentive and is flexible for both the laborers and employers. In addition, migrant laborers experienced some negative impacts on their livelihood while working in a coffee garden such as working long hours, changing living style, and conflict with colleague workers and employers. The study suggests that related public and private agencies have to work closely with the farmers to regulate their workers’ employment conditions to be in line with the national labor code of conduct.