OSCE promotes best practices for migrant integration in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 10 October 2013 – A two-day training workshop on good practices in the integration of migrants in line with the OSCE commitments began today in Astana. The event is organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in co-operation with the Labour and Social Protection Ministry and the OSCE Centre in Astana.

Participants included high- and mid-level migration management experts representing national authorities and non-governmental organizations. Many came from the Almaty, Aktobe, Atyrau, Kyzylorda and Mangistau regions where the majority of migrants work and their families reside. They will be trained on the OSCE guidelines with respect to social integration policies for migrants and look at examples from OSCE participating States and other countries that have considerable experience in this field.

"The aim of the seminar is to assist Kazakhstan authorities and NGOs in developing solutions and practical measures for effective migration governance. Advanced dialogue and experience sharing on contemporary migration and security issues is an important tool to address the migration challenges in countries of origin, transit and destination,” said Jeannette Kloetzer, Deputy Head of the Centre in Astana.

“The OSCE contributes to the formulation of topical solutions in the field of labour migration, enhancing the professional capacity of specialists, and disseminating best practices in the field of migration, and today’s seminar is part of these efforts,” said Marat Toksambaev, Head of Regulation of Ethnic Migration of the Committee on Migration of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

The current project builds on previous joint activities of the Ministry, ODIHR and the OSCE Centre in Astana, aimed at updating the regulatory migration framework in Kazakhstan in line with the OSCE principles and commitments.