OSCE Centre supports discussion on labour migration in southern Kyrgyzstan

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 10 June 2008 - Work permits and migration quotas were the focus of a roundtable discussion today organized by the International Business Council and supported by the OSCE Centre's field office in Osh.

"Economic growth depends on a legal basis and its compatibility with real life. It is important that investment is oriented to innovative branches of the economy. For this to happen, the country needs a qualified international labour force," said Aaly Karashev, Governor of Osh.

The event was attended by representatives of the State Committee on Migration, the International Business Council, and local entrepreneurs and investors.

Participants discussed the Parliament's recent decision on a quota for migrant workers in Kyrgyzstan. The existing order has been criticized for requiring foreign workers to submit a large number of documents in order to obtain a work permit. They proposed simplifying the regulations to encourage economic development.

"The OSCE is very glad to support this event, which addresses an important topic -. Kyrgyzstan has a huge potential for economic growth and steps need to be taken towards creating an adequate legal basis for labour migration," said Bojidar Dimitrov, the Head of the OSCE field office.

Notes from the roundtable discussion are expected to be presented during a meeting of the Presidential Investment Council in Bishkek on 12 June.

The event was organized within the OSCE-funded project on developing business association in southern Kyrgyzstan through the International Business Council, which also organizes discussions of issues pertaining to local businesses, including labour migration, border trade, tourism, processing industries and fair taxation.