OSCE and IOM support actions to improve labour migration practices in Central Asia

ALMATY, 26 June 2018 - Labour migration practices, with the aim to leverage the economic potential of migrant workers in Central Asia and in the Russian Federation, were discussed at a two-day event supported by the  OSCE  and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which concluded today in Almaty.

The workshop titled “Enhancing Effectiveness of Migration Policies as a Tool for Regional Economic Stability, Development and Growth in Central Asia”, focused on the role of government authorities, workers’ and employers’ associations, civil society and the private sector in shaping effective labour migration practices and addressing the challenges of irregular migration.

Some 60 representatives of migration authorities, the interior and labour ministries, civil society and academia from Central Asia and the Russian Federation as well as international organizations, including the Eurasian Economic Union and the European Union, participated in the discussion. 

“Making migration a means to foster socio-economic development requires trust and co-operation between countries of origin and destination,” said Teresa Albano, Economic Affairs Officer of the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities. “We want to identify ways to work together, to improve the lives and prospects of all stakeholders involved, governments, migrants, hosting communities, the private sector.”

“What we have learned in our 57 years of action in this field is that dialogue and co-operation need to be nurtured constantly,” said Dejan Keserovic, IOM Co-ordinator for the Central Asian Sub-Region. “We are ready to continue supporting governments, civil society and the private sector in identifying proper responses to the many challenges of a fast-evolving migration scenario in the region.”  

The participants agreed to continue annual discussions, hosted in the participating countries on a rotating basis, thus offering the opportunityto discuss pilot initiatives carried out in the region and draw lessons learned for the benefit of all. 

The workshop was organized by the Office of the Co-ordinator of OSCE Economic and Environmental Activities (OCEEA) and the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the IOM and the Committee on Labour, Social Protection and Migration of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Kazakhstan, with the support of the OSCE field operations in Central Asia.

The event is part of the OSCE’s activities to promote good governance in labour migration management through capacity building and sharing of best practices.