157 human trafficking victims rescued in 2014
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Vientiane (Vientiane Times) -- Some 157 Lao nationals who fell victim to human trafficking were rescued in Thailand last year, an increase from the 103 rescued the year before, statistics showed.
Those rescued were sent back to Laos under a memorandum of understating (MOU) between the Lao and Thai governments, according to the Social Welfare Department under the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare.
Of the 157 victims, only two were male and 135 of the total were under 18 years old, statistics provided by the department showed.
The largest number of them came from Vientiane followed by residents of Vientiane and Luang Prabang provinces respectively.
The department's official in charge of extending assistance to human trafficking victims stated that more victims have been rescued recently in Thailand - the more popular destination for Lao migrant workers as Thai authorities are taking tougher measures to address the illegal flesh trade.
Most of the Lao nationals who fall victim to human trafficking are reportedly found in neighbouring Thailand, while rare cases are occasionally reported of victims found in other Asian countries, according to the official, who asked not to be named.
