IOM resource centre for labour migrants opens

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) opened an information resource centre for labour migrants in the Tajik capital, Dushanbe, on Monday, the first of its kind in Central Asia. "IOM and the Government of Tajikistan have assessed the principle preventive manner to address the problem of labour migration. It is to create a public information resource centre with qualified counselors and an assemblage of information that is tailored to respond to the needs of these migrants," Frederic Chenais, IOM deputy chief of mission told IRIN from Dushanbe. Labour migration plays a pivotal role in the impoverished nation of 6.5 million, where over 83 percent of the Tajik population lives below the poverty line, while a full 17 percent are considered destitute, the World Bank says. A recent IOM study on labour migration in the region revealed that at least 620,000 Tajiks were economic migrants who seasonally left the country in search of jobs, primarily to Russia, but also to neighbouring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. But it is the impact those numbers have on the country as a whole that are most startling. Fifty percent of Tajikistan's population - or some 3 million people - are dependent on the remittances sent back from their family members working abroad. The combined value of money and goods reaching the country from its migrant workers in 2002 was between US $200 million and $230 million, a sum roughly equating to Tajikistan's annual budget. Despite that, Tajik migrants know very little about life abroad and the challenges ahead, leaving many with a multitude of questions and vulnerable to abuse. "Many emigrants find themselves in irregular situations abroad because of lack of information, preparedness and become victims of exploitation, harassment or even human trafficking," the IOM official said, making justification of such a centre all the more apparent. Funded by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) and the Danish government, the centre endeavours to address some of these concerns, such as employment conditions abroad, travel and document requirements, migrants' rights, press briefings and maps and contacts. In addition information on risks of trafficking and smuggling in persons, as well as potential health risks, how to channel remittances, and tips for economic migrants, including ethnic community organisations and resources, social services and long-term integration facilities are also offered. "Personalised consultations will be provided to migrants who need them," Chenais added, noting, that direct contact between economic migrants and social workers was instrumental in establishing a dialogue through which both accurate information could replace common misconception among migrants. And while the centre would be under IOM management in a separate premise, he noted that an advisory board involving the OSCE, the Tajik government and other members of civil society would ensure participation of civil actors and government authorities. In addition to a project manager, the centre would employ three counselors, one media assistant, a translator, as well as additional support staff, he added.