Publications

Research and debate on migration trends and policy

The IOM office in Dushanbe has published several research studies and assessments on migration, participated in regional studies and organized debates and conferences. These publications and conferences have stimulated active public debates and in many cases policy reforms. The research studies and assessments are listed below:

• Proceedings of Regional Conference on Lake Sarez, 1997
• Deceived Migrants from Tajikistan, a study of trafficking in women and children, 2001
• Starting and improving your own business, training manual, IOM&ILO 2002
• Assessment of Border Management in Tajikistan, 2002
• Labour Migration from Tajikistan, 2003
• Mitigating Risks of Labour Migration, training manual, 2003
• Learning Manual to Prepare Against Seismic Hazards, IOM&SFL 2003

IOM Tajikistan has also produced the following films on migration related issues:

"I am going to Moscow"
This film is about the hard realities of the work and life of labour migrants from Tajikistan in the Russian Federation. Although it is a documentary film, as a part it tells about the destiny of a migrant boy.
Director: Ozod Malikov. Produced: 2004. Language: Russian

"What should be done?"
The film focus on positive aspects of labour migration
Director: Ozod Malikov. Produced: 2006. Language: Russian

"Who is the next?"
This film is based on a real story about “Rano”, a young village girl who becomes a victim of trafficking.
Director: Ozod Malikov. Produced: 2006. Language: Russian and Tajik, English subtitles.

"Every one of us....."
The film is about the HIV/AIDS issue and connections with labour migration.
Director: Ozod Malikov. Produced: 2006. Language: Russian and Tajik, English subtitles.

 

The following studies are available online:

ABANDONED WIVES OF TAJIK LABOR MIGRANTS
IOM - August 2009

This baseline study investigates problems associated with abandonment, at least in economic and emotional terms, of these wives and the vulnerabilities it creates. It also provides evidence that the phenomenon exists in significant numbers. The key findings show that these women live in extreme poverty; they lack assistance from the government, international organizations, and the local community; and their physical and mental health is vulnerable as they are defenseless against famine, crime, and abuse.

View document:
Abandoned wives of tajik labor migrants

Cover Letter in English English Cover Letter in Tajik Tajik

Economic Dynamics of Labour Migrants' Remittances in Tajikistan
IOM - April 2009

One of the significant distinctions of this study from the previous one is that rural settlements throughout the perimeter of the country were covered and the regional differences in migration intensity (taking into account their impact on the living standard of labour migrants and their households) are considered. Studies at a national level enable to have a general understanding of the economic dynamics of migrant remittances and their role in poverty reduction, at least, among the households with labour migrants. Another important point of the study is the determination of factors affecting the population migration activity and regional comparisons. It allows understanding why the migration intensity is high in some regions as compared to others and which factors is the key.

View document:
Economic Dynamics of Labour Migrants' Remittances in Tajikistan English

Migration, Remittances and Living Standards in Tajikistan
IOM - September 2007

Migrant remittances have been playing an unprecedented role in macroeconomic stabilization, growth, and alleviation of poverty in developing countries without any government intervention. Remittances sent by Tajik migrants have helped millions of families survive the painful period of transition in the aftermath of the demise of the former Soviet Union and the ensuing Civil War (1992-97), have underpinned the growth of the Tajik economy, have given the budding financial sector a shot in the arm, have facilitated structural reforms, and have provided a valuable source of savings and foreign exchange to finance badly needed imports.

The report is based on the Khatlon Living Standards Survey of 2005 was commissioned with a view to fulfilling the following six objectives: (1) to quantify the magnitude of remittances into Tajikistan and put the estimates of migration from, and remittances into, Tajikistan on firmer footing; (2) to investigate into the dynamics of remittances; (3) to assess the impact of remittances on individuals, households, and communities; (4) to discuss the policy implications; (5) to propose innovative strategies to boost remittances and leverage remittances for development while they last; and finally to (6) to draw lessons for designing a nationwide study and suggest avenues for fruitful
research in the area.

View document:
Migration, Remittances and Living Standards in Tajikistan English

Human trafficking in Tajikistan
IOM - July 2006

Combating human trafficking in one of the priority direction of the IOM activities. Being an Intergovernmental body, in cooperation with the Government of Tajikistan, IOM actively works in elaborating effective measures to combat human trafficking, inclusing enhancing population's awareness level, strengthening legal measures and rendering help to the victims of this serious crime.

Principle aim behind this research is to generate and analyse factual materials for deeper understanding of woman and child trafficking in Tajikistan, assist in further elaboration of national policy and strategy to fight against this phenomenon, also help develop projects directed in counteracting human trafficking, particularly, on the level of society and communities.

View document:
Human trafficking in Tajikistan Russian

A long-range perspective for strengthening the migration process in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with implications for the Russian Federation
IOM - February 2006

The task of this report is to provide advice on the strategy necessary to move Tajikistan’s and Kyrgyzstan’s migration programmes to higher grounds and what programmes and policies are necessary to accomplish this strategy. I hope to clarify options available for top officials to decide on and to provide a roadmap for the best direction for the government to follow given the highly complex environment that the migration program currently exists under.

This report also hopes to point out the fact that efforts to assist these countries to manage their migration process must prove their potency against the intricate formula for development. Migration cannot be seen simply from the perspective of Labour and Social Affairs Ministries. Migration issues cut across practically the entire Cabinet of any government.

View document:
A long-range perspective for strengthening the migration process in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan with implications for the Russian Federation English Russian

Proceedings of the International Conference "Economic dynamics of labour migrant remittances in Tajikistan"
IOM - 25-26 January 2006

Tajik living standards have remained heavily dependent upon remittances from abroad. According to Tajikistan's National Bank, migrant workers sent home almost US $260 million in 2004, which is comparable with the national budget. The conference produced a compilation of information and best practices on different aspects of remittances. It brought together 80 national and international stakeholders as well as experts in several aspects of remittances with the goals of promoting dialogue, exchanging perspectives, and sharing key learning experiences. The results of IOM/UNDP pilot project “Enhancing the development impact of labour migrant remittances” was presented and have been highly assessed by the participants. At the end of the conference participants held discussions in two groups, suggestions and recommendations were proposed accordingly, taking into consideration the current state of affairs in Tajikistan. The conference also established opportunities for networking and collaborative efforts between and among public and private organizations, stakeholders and experts for future fruitful cooperation on further enhancement of the development impact of migrants’ remittances. Government representatives highlighted the support of the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan for replicating an IOM pilot project in other parts of Tajikistan to enhance the impact of labour migrant remittances. The conference took place on 25 and 26 January 2006 in Dushanbe, “Kokhi Vahdat” complex.

View document:
Proceedings of the International Conference "Economic dynamics of labour migrant remittances in Tajikistan" English Russian

Labour migrant remittances and its impact to the living standards in Khatlon Oblast of the Republic of Tajikistan
IOM - 2006

Basic purpose of this research is revealing economic dynamics of labour migrant remittances and assessment of its impact on the individual, household and community levels in Khatlon Oblast of the Republic of Tajikistan.

View document:
Labour migrant remittances and its impact to the living standards in Khatlon Oblast of the Republic of Tajikistan Russian

Children in the cottonfields
IOM - January 2004

Tajikistan’s agricultural sector is characterized by the monoculture of cotton. Cotton, which is the major cash crop, accounts for two thirds of the gross production value of the agriculture sector and takes up to 35 percent of the cultivated area. It is a commodity that is central to society and its influence on the livelihoods of the rural population should not be underestimated.

Tajikistan experiences a huge seasonal labour outflow, as more than 630 000 of its citizens are working abroad, mainly in the Russian Federation. This phenomenon, coupled with a civil war that took more than 50’000 lives, distorts the labour market in cotton growing areas. This deformation of the employment market makes child labour an easily available solution for an industry in desperate need of personnel.

Even if the Tajik legislation officially discourages child labour, schools are often closed and teenagers are sent to the fields during the harvest in rural areas, sometimes at the price of their health and education.

View document:
Children in the cottonfields English and Russian

Labour Migration from Tajikistan
IOM - July 2003

Over the past decade, Tajikistan has seen a rapid rise in cross-border seasonal migration, affecting all aspects of Tajik society, the national economy and government policy. The majority of Tajik  labour migrants work irregularly in Russia and other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), where they are vulnerable to exploitation and suffer considerable hardship. On the other hand, substantial benefits exist: Tajik migrant workers acquire new experiences, skills and contacts, and their remittances are crucial to the survival of many households in Tajikistan.

It is worth examining the nature and dynamics of such an extensive migratory flow in order to assess its impact, together with other internal trends, on the future of the country. This report is the first to comprehensively describe and analyze these trends. It covers a broad range of issues, including profiles of the different types of migrants, their motives for going abroad to work, their living conditions, the problems they face and the networks they establish, and the legislative framework for their integration in the host country, as well as the economic and social ramifications of labour migration. The report contains a number of recommendations aimed at policy makers.

View document:
Labour Migration from Tajikistan English Russian

 

Deceived Migrants from Tajikistan
A Study of Trafficking in Women and Children
IOM - August 2001

The study highlights the incidence of trafficking in human beings from Tajikistan, its causes and implications. It illustrates a social trend that is yet incipient in numbers compared to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and possibly Uzbekistan albeit in full expansion.

Comparison with other neighboring countries reveals that the traditional nature of Tajik society and the weakness of the economy influences trafficking in women from Tajikistan more markedly than in the other countries. In the poor economic environment of Tajikistan, a potential victim who is desperate to make a living and has been socially isolated from professional opportunities and market realities in the patriarchal society she was brought up in, is a valuable and easy resource for a trafficker. The communal nature of Tajik society where anonymity is difficult, encourages recruiters to rely on information they can spread among acquaintances and relatives. Considering prevailing social reprobation it is also almost impossible for victims of trafficking to be re-accepted and integrate in their communities thus forcing them to become outcasts and in some cases even recruiters.

A common feature in trafficking trends of Central Asian Republics is the prominence of the Gulf States and the Russian Federation as destination countries of trafficked victims highlights. The role of other Central Asian Republics as regional transit platforms for traffickers is also noteworthy.

As this report also underlines, trafficking of human beings is linked to several other problems such as discriminating gender practices, access to education, economic opportunities, and rule of law. It is therefore important to view recommendations and actions to combat trafficking in human beings as inter-linked with activities to promote governance in accordance with international standards and best practices.

View document:
Deceived Migrants from Tajikistan - A Study of Trafficking in Women and Children English