DUSHANBE October 23, 2012, Asia-Plus — Journalists from four Central Asia’s nations collaborating with the UN regional program on women’s labor migration and human rights organizations have joined criticism of a new manual for migrants published in St. Petersburg.
A statement released by them on October 23 says “the booklet’s illustrations point to dual standards living in mind. “For many, newcomers remain strangers.”
“At the same time, we are concerned over for the booklet’s authors as swell. They are subject not only to criticism, they are also subject to inspection from the prosecutor’s office, there is an organization that is going to file lawsuit against them. Internet is full of not only comments but also threats. It is a dangerous tendency.”
Tajikistan’s Embassy in Moscow has also strongly condemned a new manual for migrants, noting that the booklet insults labor migrants, including Tajik nationals temporarily residing in the Russian Federation.
We will recall that the new manual designed to help migrants from Central Asia has caused a storm in St. Petersburg because of its apparent racist content.
According to some media sources, the St. Petersburg prosecutor’s office has launched preliminary investigations into “Instructions for Labor Migrants,” which was recently published in Russian, Kyrgyz, Tajik, and Uzbek.
The booklet has been printed by the Look Into The Future publishing house and is seemingly intended as an aid for thousands of migrants from Central Asia, many of whom are employed as construction workers in Russia’s major cities.
Along with legal information concerning Russian rules and regulations, the booklet also provides some social advice.
Among other things, it warns labor migrants not to spit in the street, not to squat, not to litter, and not to wear bathrobes or tracksuits in public places, Radio Liberty reports.
The booklet”s illustrations also depict labor migrants as tools commonly used in the construction industry, such as hammers, brooms, paintbrushes, and paint scrapers.
Somewhat controversially, the pictures portray these immigrants being met at the airport by real human beings wearing the uniforms of Russian customs officials and border guards.
Another drawing shows the tools being lectured by a human doctor on the danger of AIDs. He also warns them that they should go home immediately if they are infected.
Not surprisingly, the booklet”s content has drawn criticism for being somewhat bigoted and relying on cliched stereotypes.
Russian human rights organizations and Diasporas of Central Asia’s nations in Russia have condemned the booklet, calling it humiliating and offensive.
