Migration and Returnees Resource Centers Function in: Armavir, Goris, Charentsavan, Sissian,Vanadzor, Noyemberyan, Martuni

In 2006, a Resource Centers’ Network was established with the support of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation (EPF)

Goal of the Network: Contribute to prevention of illegal migration and

addressing potential consequences thereof.

Impact of Migration on the Community and Families

Due to shortage of labor force, land plots gradually are deserted

Village communities grow old Often, inefficient migrant work leads to family conflicts. 90% of migrants lives in the host country on illegal basis Work without an employment contract Work without maintaining elementary work safety rules Often become victims of trafficking Have problems with local police, labor inspectorate and

heath institutions.

Services provided by Resource Centers

Provide advisory services (through face to face meetings, hotline);

Ensuring awareness of rural communities on migration policies effective in the Republic and abroad

Increase public awareness on labor migration rules, effective laws of host countries (by TV, dissemination of printed information materials).

Work with the Regional Employment Centres Reintegrate returnees in the society by informing

migrants about available job opportunities in the Armenian labor market.

Services provided by Resource Centers

Conduct skills building training for returnees Provide consulting/training for initiating local

small/medium businesses Establish links with similar structures operating inside

and outside of the Republic of Armenia Conduct survey of labor market demand in Russian

Federation and connect the information with job seekers and job providers.

Success Stories:Sissian Resource Center

Assistance to migrants to find a job through a qualified service: 200 labor migrants were provided with information on job availability in Tumen oblast’ and got employed on legal terms.

The Center managed to help a potential migrant from one of 33 communities of Syunik region to begin a small business. Through the help of experts he was able to develop his own business and opened a small shop in a community. The Center helped him to get a loan from

ArdshinInvest Bank and to develop his business.

Success Stories:

Noyemberian Resource Center: Established working relations with Armenian Diaspora community

and employers of Lipetsk region (Russia). Conducted survey of labor market demand in Lipetsk region (Russia), ensured public awareness in Armenia.

Goris Resource Center: 6 Families got legally registered and were able to register their small

businesses With the legal assistance from the RC, 7 migrants were compensated

their travel expenses after they were rejected a contract despite prior agreement with Moscow authorities, returned to Armenia and opened a small business.

Success Stories:Martuni Resource Center

Studied problems most frequently faced by Armenian nationals in Russia

Established working relations with similar centers in Omsk and Novosibirsk (Armenian communities, federal migration services, employers).

Around 80 migrants and returnees were provided with CV writing, career search skills, and

Participated in “How to start a new business?” training courses.

Labor Market in Martuni

Job Fairs were organized at the local level, where: 25 employers participated 300 unemployed attended 17 unemployed succeeded in finding a job 10-15 daily phone calls are received at the

NGO’s office with the request to be enrolled in the next Job Fair.

Job Fair in Martuni

Photos

The number of beneficiaries having received services of RC in the past 12 months

Sissian – 312 Charentsavan – 271 Armavir - 120 Martuni -350 Goris - 340 Noyemberian - 539 Vanazor - 520

Recently, the government of Russia issued a decision to reduce foreign labor quotas

According to the experts, the reduction of quotas in particular will not contribute to relieving gradually deepening economic crises in Russia. However, the specified measure may result in the following:

Migrant workers will continue to stay in illegal arena;

Many migrants will have to return empty-handed;

At the same time, returnees will face major difficulties in finding jobs.

The Role of RCs in overcoming Economic Crises

International economics demonstrates that: the new economic situation will be overcome by involvement of highly-qualified and well educated specialists in the development process

The role of RCs in re-integration of returnees will be strengthened by:

1. Training of specialists in accordance with labor market demand

2. Organization of events promoting increased employment locally (Job Fairs)

3. Dissemination of information about lending/credit opportunities for small and medium businesses.

Recommendations Collaboration of RCs with local stakeholders (Employment

Centers) to coordinate the survey and practical assistance provided to migrants;

Development of strong working linkeages with stakeholders in Russian Federation and other countries of destination for insuring legal migration and protection of elementary human rights;

Advocate for the need to develop the re-integration strategy for Returnees, the number of the which will increase in the light of latest economic trends.