DUSHANBE, March 30, 2011, Asia-Plus  -- A two-day subregional symposium on “Enhancing Regulation of Labor Migration in the Framework of Tripartite Consultations on Cooperation, Development of Strategy and Practice of Management of Labor Migration” opened in Astana, Kazakhstan today.

Sobir Amonov, the International Labor Organization (ILO) National Coordinator of in Tajikistan, says the meeting is being held in the framework of the ILO project, Regulating Labor Migration as an Instrument of Development and Regional Cooperation in Central Asia - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

The overall objectives of this project that was launched in 2008 are to ensure the development of a more comprehensive strategy for labor migration and more effective regulation of migration flows in Central Asia.  The project specific objectives include developing harmonized policies, legislation and administrative tools for the management of labor migration in order to assist migrant workers and their families and ensuring that both sending and receiving countries benefit to the maximum extent from migration by supporting the development of a more comprehensive labor migration strategy for the region, including more effective regulation of migration in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, building on participation and engagement of relevant stakeholders at the country and regional levels.  The project is implemented under financial support of the European Union.

According to Amonov, the ongoing symposium is aimed at promoting extension of consultations within the framework of tripartite cooperation on formation of the strategy of management of labor migration in the region and exchange of practical experience.

The symposium participants include representatives from relevant government bodies, employers’ associations and trade unions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and the Russian Federation as well international organizations and research institutes.  Tajikistan is represented at the meeting by representatives from President’s Executive Office, Ministry of labor and Social Protection, Foreign Ministry, Migration Service, Federation of Independent Trade Unions and the Association of Employers of Tajikistan, the ILO national coordinator noted.

According to him, trade unions of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will sign bilateral agreements on protection of rights of labor migrants on sidelines of the symposium.  In parallel, employers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan will sign a memorandum of intent, Amonov added.