KHOORG, July 19, 2010, Asia-Plus — Issues of labor migration and ways to improve the situation of labor migrants abroad were the focus of a session of the “Social Partnership” discussion club that took place in Khorog, the capital of Gorno Badakhshan on July 17.
According to the Public Council secretary coordinator Nourali Saidov, the session that was held jointly with the OSCE Office in Tajikistan to discuss problems and prospects of labor migration brought together representatives from local authorities and public associations dealing with labor migration issues.
Mr. Mahbatsho Rouzadorov, Adviser to the President for Social Matters and Public Relations, Ms. Arambegim Mahtbshoyeva, Deputy Governor of Gorno Badakhshan, Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the OSCE Office in Tajikistan, and Mr. Qamchibek Nasillobekov, Chairman of the State Unitary Enterprise, Badakhshonkhorijakor (GBAO state enterprise for external labor migration), acquainted those present with the labor migration problems in Tajikistan, in particular in Gorno Badakhshan.
As of July 1, 2010, more than 24,700 residents of Gorno Badakhshan were outside the country seeking better employment opportunities. The Badakhshonkhorijakor head noted that 97 percent of labor migrants from Gorno Badakhshan (more than 18,600 men and more than 6,000 women) had traveled to the Russian Federation. Young people aged 18 to 30 constitute more than 50 percent (13,200 people) of labor migrants from the region, Nasillobekov said.
The meeting participants noted that labor migration was one of the most vital issues in the country and labor migrants were a crucial component in Tajikistan’s economy as remittances kept many families in the country above the poverty line. On the other hand, labor migration has begun to negatively impact the demographic situation in the country.
The meeting also discussed issues related to development of a single national concept and establishment of a single public institution for regulation of the labor migration problems in the country.
