NEGOTIATING EMPLOYMENT-BASED MARGINALISATION: VOICES OF PHYSICALLY DISABLED PEOPLE IN LAO PDR

As one of Southeast Asia's poorest nations, achieving sustainable development is a monumental challenge for Laos. One of the biggest challenges the nation is currently facing is achieving inclusiveness for all sectors of the population, especially the marginalised sector. In Laos, physically disabled people are restricted from full participation in society in vital domains such as education and employment. This study uses a life history approach to analyse the challenges and negotiation process of physically disabled people in the Laotian labour market. The study interviewed 12 Participants in Vientiane Capital and the Xiengkhuang province between March 2020 and May 2021. The participants faced structural, physical, and social barriers based on their disability. The negotiation process refers to how the Participants handled their challenges in the employment realm. The study found that the participants faced various challenges, including inaccessible transportation, inaccessible workplaces, and negative attitudes from employers and co-workers. The strategies were considerably different among the participants in mitigating the challenges. The study concludes that despite these challenges, some of the participants were able to find employment and negotiate successful outcomes in the Laotian labour market.