Government to lend helping hand to gastarbeiters returning to Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Head of Migration Agency at the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration Gagik Yeganyan specified 3 main implications of the world financial crisis on migration.



"The first is transfer reduction. In 2008, the transfer volume totaled $2,1 billion, with $1.635 billion for emigrants. In 2007, the transfer rate increased by 35% and in 2008 a drop of 24% was registered, coinciding with the outset of world financial crisis," he told a news conference today.



The second is the general workers outflow decrease, conditioned by lack of work abroad, according to him.



"For the most part, emigrants from Armenia work at construction sites. And construction is usually a seasonal work. Yet in winter it will become clear that seasonal aspect is no longer a determining factor. So, starting from April a major inflow is expected," Yeghanyan said.



"The third implication is the increase number of people retuning to Armenia. According to OSCE data, the annual number of those leaving abroad for job is 60 to 70 thousand people. They're usually leaving in spring and returning by the end of the year. We believe many won't leave this year because of staff reductions," he said, adding that the Migration Agency announced creation of new job opportunities for gastarbeiters retuning to Armenia.