Recent changes in labour legislation of the Russian Federation, which has introduced re-entry bans to migrants in breach of Russian administrative regulations, had a profound impact on labour migrants from Central Asia. In particularly it affected Tajikistan, economy of which is greatly dependent on labour migration, with a large proportion of GDP drawn from Tajik labour migrants’ remittances from the Russian Federation.
Consequently, the social and economic reintegration of returning migrants from Russia is one of the most critical issues facing the Government of Tajikistan (GoT) today. The loss of income from remittances has resulted in significant deterioration of the economic situation of migrants and their families, and Tajikistan more broadly. The portion of remittances to national GDP fell to 21% in 2016, as compared to an average of 40 % in the preceding years. Partially as a result of these deportations and lack of economic and social opportunities in Tajikistan, there has been a more than five-fold increase in the number of Tajik citizens applying for asylum in the European Union in the recent years.
The project implemented by the MercyCorps Tajikistan, thus aims to improve Tajikistan’s development through the social and economic reintegration of returning labour migrants.
It will take a holistic approach on improving supply and demand in the migration management system and its impact on the country’s development. The project will include support to the implementation of national strategy and policies on reintegration of returning migrants on the sub-national level, including through Provincial and District Migration Centres; capacity development, resources, collaboration and policy implementation at the sub-national level; and direct engagement of returning migrants and their families with the migration management system and local governments.
«Hello friends,
We Firuz and Nasim recently returned from labor migration. As labour migrants in Russian Federation we have not faced any problems, we knew Russian well, we signed an agreement with the employer, and we were informed on existing labour laws of Russian Federation.
We returned with small savings and wish to realise our plans in Tajikistan. But how do we do that?
The Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment of Population creates favourable conditions for all migrants upon return. We are ready to find a job for you that matches your qualification, give advice or suggestions.
If you did not obtain a diploma or profession, you can always get one. From the list provided by the Ministry, you can choose a profession that suits you, master it within 3 months and receive an official Certificate.
We will also advise you on how to effectively manage your savings and how to invest them in various types of business activities. Your work is your success».
About the implementing agency
Mercy Corps has been implementing programs on improved livelihoods in Tajikistan for more than 20 years, as a partner with local and national government in supporting migrant workers in their employment search and socio-economic reintegration. Mercy Corps is also in a close collaborator on the Roadmap, developed and adopted on Social and Economic Reintegration of Returning Labour Migrants in Tajikistan for 2018-2021 (https://www.mieux-initiative.eu/en/actions/187-tajikistan-iii-labour-migration), with the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Population and other stakeholders.
