LESS MONEY BEING SENT HOME BY ARMENIAN EMIGRANTS

The Messenger
March 24 2009
Georgia

Head of the migration service of Armenia Gagik Eganian has stated that
due to the economic crisis money transfers from abroad have decreased.

At present 85 % of money transfers into Armenia come from Russia,
4% from the USA and 2% from European countries. Eganian stated that
a huge number of Armenians, mainly men, had emigrated to Russia in
search of a better income and the crisis in Russia has had a negative
effect for these people as well. Many have returned to Armenia as
most were engaged in the construction business which has been badly
hit by the crisis.

OSCE research shows that every spring 60-80,000 Armenian seasonal
workers migrated to Russia. In 2009 the number of people doing this
has declined dramatically.