DUSHANBE, October 8, 2009, Asia-Plus  -- In a report released at the forum entitled “Labor Migration in Central Asia: Problems and Ways to Solve Them” in Dushanbe, the deputy chairperson of the Interior Ministry Migration Service, Ms. Sharifa Usmonova revealed today that labor migrants have remitted 1.5 billion U.S. dollars to banks in Tajikistan over the first half-year of 2009L  She referred to data of Tajikistan’s banking system.

In 2008, labor migrants remitted 2.5 billion U.S. dollars to Tajik banks, she added.

“Over the first six months of this year, some 150,000 Tajik labor migrants working in Russia and Kazakhstan have returned home following the global financial crisis,” said Usmonova, “1.5 billion U.S. dollars remitted by migrants to the country have been a serious financial support for their families.”

According to her, major part of Tajiks travel to other countries in search of seasonal work spontaneously, without any contracts or agreements.  “Of 600,000-700,000 our migrants traveling to other countries seeking better employment, only one-third have appropriate agreements concluded with employers that gives them the right of social protection,” Usmonova said.