PanARMENIAN.Net

Government to lend helping hand to gastarbeiters returning to Armenia
27.02.2009 21:07 GMT+04:00

/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.