Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Government, employer and trade union executives from Kazakhstan, Kirgiz Republic, Tajikistan and the Russian Federation called today for a harmonized approach to regulate labour migration in Central Asia. They agreed on coordinated action to bring law and practice on migration into line with modern standards and practices at the conclusion of a three day regional ‘tripartite’ symposium held in Astana.

Trade union federations of three Central Asian countries signed a historic joint agreement on cooperation to enhance protection and support for migrant workers of all nationalities. Employers’ organizations of three countries signed a joint memorandum of intent to expand their cooperation regionally.

Over 75 officials from Ministries of Labour, national migration agencies, trade union federations, employer groups and international organizations participated in three days of arduous debate concluded today, March 31.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population of Kazakhstan together with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and its International Training Centre hosted the regional conference “Improving Governance of Labour Migration through Tripartite Policy, Practice and Coordination”.

Delegates agreed that urgent action is needed on improving governance of migration to accelerate integration and development in Central Asia. Main lines of action set include improving national legislation, extending social protection coverage to migrant workers, modernizing vocational and professional training to meet current employer demands, regulating migrant recruitment to effectively match supply and demand, and enhancing labour inspection to ensure decent work for all workers.

Vice-Minister of Labour Mr Nurymbetov B.B. emphasized…”we are right now updating our systems of employing foreign workers in Kazakhstan. We expect to have new legislation in place by May and with it new approaches to regulating labour migration.

Speakers and participants reiterated that basic rights of all migrants needed to be protected and respected under law. They agreed that modernization and harmonization of legislation would best be accomplished when all countries in the region ratify ILO Conventions on migration for employment (numbers 97 and 143).

Key roles were indicated for businesses that employ people whether national or foreign and trade unions that represent all workers in policy on labour migration. Trade unions were asked to expand their role in pre-departure orientation in home countries and post arrival support for migrants arriving in countries of employment.

Employers underlined need for more efficient procedures to ease cross border mobility of skills and labour, to ensure that they are available where and when needed.

Keynote speaker Patrick Taran highlighted: “For Central Asia, the key to development is building economic, political and social cooperation. Migration is one of the fundamental pillars for such essential cooperation. This means freer circulation of labour in larger markets to better link capital and labour.”

Extending social security and health coverage to all migrant workers was agreed as urgent priority to reduce social costs of migration and maintain public health for all. Delegates agreed that achieving social protection requires developing legislation in line with international norms, harmonizing social security regimes among cooperating countries, and establishing viable systems to collect contributions and disburse benefits. ILO is asked to facilitate regional consultations to develop a Central Asian regime of cooperation on social security protection for migrant workers.

Extending recognition and protection to rural and seasonal migrant workers was identified as an urgent challenge, one with no easy answers.

High-level representative of Governments included Vice-Minister of Labour Mr Nurymbetov B.B. of Kazakhstan; Vice-Minister of Labor, Employment and Migration of Kyrgyzstan Mr Baiboriyev A.Sh.; Deputy Chairman of the Tajik Migration Commission; and Chief of Migration of the Russian Federation Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Mr Godenko.

Secretary of the Committee for Legislation and Legal Reforms of the Kazakh Parliament Mrs Bychkova S.F, and the Head of European Union Delegation in Kazakhstan, Ambassador Norbert Jousten addressed the conference; Mr Patrick Taran, ILO Senior Migration Specialist gave the keynote speech.

This symposium culminated a three year EU-supported ILO effort to build foundations for effective and rights-based migration governance in Central Asia. This project “Regulating Labour Migration as an Instrument of Development and Regional Cooperation in Central Asia” helped countries assess migration situations, formulate legislation, improve collection of labour migration data, and conduct regional dialogue. The project is implemented by the ILO and primarily funded by the European Union; it is currently headed by Ms Jana Costachi, former deputy labour minister of Moldova.