DUSHANBE, December 18, 2012, Asia-Plus – International Migrants Day is marked on December 18.

Press release issued by the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Mission in Tajikistan on this occasion, in particular, says that during the past year in collaboration with the Government of Tajikistan, IOM has continued its efforts to develop the country’s capacity to effectively manage migration—thereby maximizing the developmental benefits of migration for all.

Through its programs focused on labor migration, migration health, counter-trafficking in persons, and immigration and border control, IOM Tajikistan has: consulted more than 17,000 migrant workers and reached nearly 100,000 more through information campaigns on pre-departure orientation and their legal rights and responsibilities when migrating abroad; assisted more than 200 migrants in legal issues such as repatriation, deportation, and reconnecting missing migrants with their families; assisted more than 50 victims of human trafficking with protection and reintegration services; trained more than 250 staff of law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, law students, NGO staff, Tajik consulate offices and members of the Diaspora on combating trafficking in persons; conducted more than 700 public outreach events on migration and health together with its network of NGO partners; reached more than 500,000 migrant workers and their families through a campaign on STIs and HIV prevention, during which more than 1,500,000 brochures and condoms were distributed; developed new informational and educational materials on STIs, HIV, tuberculosis prevention for foreign migrant workers and their families in Tajikistan in nine languages; and increased detection of TB cases among returned Tajik migrant workers and provided treatment adherence support to positive cases through the USAID Dialogue on HIV and TB Project.

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, IOM has organized a set of activities throughout Tajikistan:

- Photo Competition to Change Perception of Migrants Abroad (December 18 – January 18) -- To counter the growing stigmatization and xenophobia of migrants in Central Asia and Russia, IOM Tajikistan is collaborating with its partner missions throughout Central Asia and Russia in a photo competition (I’m a migrant!) - encouraging migrants and migrant families to take a photo of themselves and share their migrant stories on IOM Facebook pages.

- Television broadcast of IOM activities on migrants’ right to health -- Video report on the events conducted by the IOM’s NGO partners in the rural areas among returned migrant workers and their families on STIs and HIV prevention. This report airs on TV Safina (December 18, 8:00 pm and December 19, 8:00am) and Shabakai Avval (December 18, 8:30 pm)

- Radio broadcast on migrants’ rights o IOM legal experts will discuss international conventions on migrants’ rights.  There were also be trivia and prizes awarded to callers. This aired on Radio Vatan at 8:00 am on December 18.

- Outreach events -- IOM Migrant Support Centers in Khujand, Tojikibod, Khorog, Kulob, Ayni, and Hisor together with the local Migration Service will show the film “Know before Traveling,” open to the general population and migrants in order to better prepare migrants before leaving Tajikistan.

- A roundtable on migration problems and perspectives for development in Sughd was held in Khujand, also organized by IOM Migrant Support Centre in Khujand, operated by Human Rights Centre and the regional Migration Service office.

- Open legal consultations and distribution of information materials on migrant rights were held throughout Khujand and Qurghon Teppa.

- IOM’s partner NGOs also conducted public information sessions on migrants’ right to health in 7 districts throughout the country.

IOM Tajikistan is supported through the financial contributions of the Department for International Development (DFID), the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Agencies (INL) of the U.S. Department of State, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the United Nations Development Programme, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Population Services International (PSI) and the IOM Development Fund, press release said.

The General Assembly of United Nations appointed December 18 as International Migrants Day on December 4, 2000 taking into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world.  On December 18, 1990, the General Assembly adopted the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families (resolution 45/158).

This day is observed in many countries, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations through the dissemination of information on human rights and fundamental political freedoms of migrants, and through sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure the protection of migrants.

According to some sources, nearly one million Tajik seasonal workers travel abroad each year, primarily to Russia but also to neighboring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Meanwhile, Tajik migration service agency reports that over the first ten months of this year, a total of 765,005 persons left Tajikistan and 484,915 persons returned.

It is to be noted that labor migrants remain a critical component in Tajikistan’s economy.   Remittances keep many families in the country above the poverty line.

According to monthly report, Tajikistan Monthly Report and Early Warning – November 2012 , Unofficially reported remittances in October totaled 380.4 million USD, 12% higher than for the same period in 2011. Remittances are running at a higher rate than previous years 10 years, consistent with an increase in out migration.