Armenia Works to Address Labor Migration Issues
On April 29, 2008, Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF) in cooperation with the Armenian non-governmental organization (NGO) Zinvori Mair convened a two-day conference in Yerevan on labor migration from Armenia to Russia. EPF is one of USAID’s key partners working on migration issues in Armenia. As part of the USAID-funded Labor Migration program, EPF began working with seven regional NGOs in 2007 to provide services and information to present, potential, and returning migrants and their families.
The goals of the conference were to increase public awareness about Russian and Armenian migration policies, present the two countries’ experience in addressing migration-related issues, and forge stronger ties between government institutions and NGOs in Russia and Armenia in their efforts to decrease irregular migration. A number of experts on migration issues from both countries delivered presentations at the conference, which was attended by representatives of the Armenian government, local NGOs, foundations, and international organizations.
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| In his opening remarks at the April 28, 2008 labor migration conference in Yerevan, USAID/Armenia Program Officer James Carlson highlighted the important role NGOs play in assisting migrants and shaping migration policy, particularly by raising awareness. |
USAID/Armenia Program Officer James Carlson delivered opening remarks at the conference describing USAID efforts to support Armenia’s economic growth. “USAID realizes the importance of migration and remittances for Armenia’s development and works toward improving the internal situation in the country, including labor market development and promotion of Armenia’s competitiveness so that there are enough competitive and well-paid jobs within the country to support Armenian families,” he said. Carlson differentiated between general and elite migration, noting that while the former is directed toward meeting the basic needs of the population, the latter is considered to be an important source of added value for the country as elite migrants are very likely to return home with new skills and knowledge, thus further fueling the economy.
Participants discussed current trends and concerns related to labor migration in Armenia, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive state policy that would protect the rights of Armenian migrants abroad as well as assist them upon their return home. EPF also presented the findings of the new USAID-funded research on labor migration trends in Armenian regional communities, conducted by EPF in 2007-2008.
Based on recent sociological surveys, 96,000-122,000 people (3.0 - 3.8 percent of the population) migrated from Armenia between 2005 and 2006. Two-thirds of these migrants noted lack of employment or low salaries as their primary reason for departure. Gagik Yeganyan, the head of the Migration Agency within the Ministry of Territorial Administration of Armenia, noted in his presentation, Russia and former Soviet republics rank first (75 percent) as a target destination for Armenian migrants, followed by European countries (15 percent) and the U.S. (10 percent).
Underscoring the need to assist in the return and reintegration of Armenian migrants, Yeganyan introduced the Migration Agency’s new virtual system (www.backtoarmenia.com) which will now allow Armenian citizens abroad to learn more about migration-related concerns, risks and consequences, and official announcements and publications. Users are also able to direct questions to an online expert.
As a conference wrap-up, participants collaborated in the development of a resolution on migration policy, as well as several other relevant issues, including bilateral cooperation and diplomacy, and special assistance and reintegration programs for migrants and their families.
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