OSCE Centre, Tajik Presidential administration chair discussion on labour migration

DUSHANBE, 16 May 2008 - Issues of labour migration and ways to improve the situation of labour migrants abroad were the focus of a Social Partnership Club roundtable discussion today, hosted by the OSCE Centre and the Public Council of the Republic of Tajikistan.

"Labour migration is one of the most vital issues in Tajikistan and even though steps have been taken to improve the situation, a lot still needs to be done and we strongly support the Public Council's initiative to start a dialogue on this issue," said Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, Head of OSCE Centre in Dushanbe.

The Social Partnership Club, established by the Public Council and supported by the OSCE Centre in Dushanbe, aims to promote dialogue between political parties and religious, state and public organizations to discuss and find solutions to problems in Tajik society.

"The Government of Tajikistan is aware of the problems our labour migrants have to face in other countries and is taking all efforts to improve the situation. We have so far opened migration departments in the Tajik Embassy in Moscow and in the largest cities of the Russian Federation to address Tajik labour migration issues there," said Saymurod Fatoev, State Adviser to the President.

"At this roundtable discussion we expect to hear more ideas about how we can ease the conditions for Tajik migrants and we are ready to initiate relevant changes in our legislation, if necessary."

The OSCE Centre in Dushanbe has put the issue of labour migration high on its agenda in Tajikistan. The Centre has opened four information resource centres in Tajikistan's regions to raise awareness about the potential risks faced by labour migrants and the relevant immigration rules, and to advise on how to avoid problems while working away from Tajikistan.

The Public Council was established in 1996. President Emomali Rakhmon was elected as Chairman of the council.