Migration and Remittances: Evidence from Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao Migrant Workers

Abstract

The purpose of research deals with leading questions regarding migration, concentrating on migration remittances, and management relating to remittance. The survey was conducted in 2018. Five hundred and eleven migrant workers from these source countries-Cambodia, Myanmar and Lao, were interviewed. This research applies probit regression analysis. The results show that repeated migrants who are not first-time migrant, are a highly specific group with 54.74%. First-time migrants are most likely to send remittances home while working in Thailand, accounting for 2,826 Baht per month. However, this number decrease with the second-time migrants send remittances about 2,331 Baht per month. Saving behavior is similar between first-time migrants and second-time migrants, who save a portion of their earnings. However, this number increases to 50% in the cases of third and subsequent migrants. The estimation of sending remittances of all migrant's nationalities. The variables that have the influence on remittances in the positive direction are these variables: being Cambodia migrants, burden of family, social assistance, being Myanmar migrant and household size, respectively. On the other hand, the variables that effect on remittances in the opposite direction are attain below primary school, education (in year), real estate owned, and number of migrating household members in Thailand, respectively. The results show that those who finished below primary school are more likely to send remittances, compared with those who finished above primary school. Main policy recommendations are: bank should decrease money transferring cost; employers should pay salary through banking accounts; migrants should remit money through formal channels. Keywords: Migration, Remittance, International Migration, Myanmar Migrant, Cambodian Migrant, Lao Migrant.