Labour Migration

In recent years, the Republic of Belarus has found itself and its development pathway shaped by incoming and – to a greater extent – outgoing migration flows, both presenting an opportunity to address demographic and labour market challenges the country is faced with.

Proper migration governance would not only generate gains for the country’s economy but would also serve as a safeguard of migrant workers’ human rights who are vulnerable to human trafficking and forced labor. 

Certain policies and programmes can be developed to make more effective use of the positive aspects of emigration, including the use of remittances for economic development and communication with migrant workers.

In order to strengthen the capacity of the Republic of Belarus to manage labor migration processes to use its advantages for the socio-economic development of the country and to ensure an integrated approach to providing protection and assistance to labor migrants, the International Organization for Migration is implementing the project “Maximizing the Impact of Migration and Llabour Mobility in the Sustainable Development of Belarus”. 

With significant experience in supporting governments both in the region and around the world in developing labor migration policies, as well as migration and development policies to integrate migration into development planning, IOM has all opportunities to provide the Government of Belarus with the necessary support to successfully achieve its migration policy goals.
 

Project partners

The Ministry of Interior (MoI) is a key government entity mandated to implement national migration policies and exercise control over migration processes of Belarus. The Ministry of Interior Department on Citizenship and Migration (DCM) is one of the main entities which, by law, are authorized to manage migration at all levels.

The hotline, operating under the auspices of the DGiM, is officially authorized to provide citizens of Belarus who intend to work abroad, are currently working abroad or are returning from abroad with information about the protection of their rights, redirecting for additional assistance or initiating an official investigation of cases of exploitation or violation of the rights of migrants. In partnership with the DCM, this project will expand the government's capabilities to use labor migration processes for the socio-economic development of Belarus.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Belarus coordinate some aspects of labour migration, including labour migrants’ rights and protection of Belarusians abroad respectively. 

Project components

•    To conduct a holistic assessment of the current economic development strategies with labour migration flows and remittances in Belarus.
•    To raise awareness of public authorities about the opportunities and benefits of effective management of labor migration.
•    To support the effective functioning of the DCM hotline for safe migration 
•    To conduct a nation-wide information campaign.

Thanks to the achieved results, the Department on Citizenship and Migration of MoI, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be able to use the acquired knowledge, skills and tools to empower migrant workers and use migration for sustainable development in Belarus.

The project will contribute to achieving the objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 10.7, 8.8, 8.7 and 10.2.