The number of Moldovan migrants is lower than the figures disseminated often by different persons. Thus, 411,000 Moldovans are involved in long-term international migration, while 109,000 are involved in seasonal migration. The figures are contained in the study “Relevant data about migration in Moldova” that was presented in the launch of the project Nexus Moldova, IPN reports.
Nicolaas de Zwager, Nexus Moldova coordinator and founder of the International Agency for Source Country Information (IASCI), said the study showed that the Moldovan migrants cannot total about 1 million, as reported earlier. About 44,000 migrants returned home, half of whom in the last three years. 370,000 Moldovans work abroad, 18,400 study abroad, while 18,700 went abroad to be there together with the family.
A number of 88,000 Moldovan migrants of the 109,000 involved in seasonal migration work in Russia, while 7,700 in Italy. Most of the seasonal migrants are men (about 72%) and the largest part of them are from villages.
Nicolaas de Zwager said the project aims to help the Moldovans to achieve their personal migration objectives. “By our initiative, we do not want to encourage or stop migration. We rather want to provide practical support, through the agency of our partners from all the levels, so as to make the migration cycle – from the moment before departure up to the return – as efficient as possible,” he stated.
The study revealed that 48% of the remittances of €920 million sent by long-term migrants are used for consumption, 21% for savings, 25% for investments in realty, while 5% in business.
Nexus Moldova is financed by the EU and implemented by a consortium managed by IASCI Austria and is co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Moldova Pirkka Tapiola said in the event that migration is sometimes a necessity, sometimes an opportunity, but can sometimes pose certain risks. Three is also irresponsible migration that leads to trafficking in persons and illegal migration. The project brings a value added to the Bureau for Diaspora Relations and benefits to Moldova and the countries of destination for Moldovan migrant. Some of the Moldovan migrants returned home and invested money in successful businesses and the EU will continue to support Moldova so as to diminish the negative effects of migration.
The head of the Bureau for Diaspora Relations Victor Lutenko said the project represents inspiration and substantial assistance in promoting the relations with the diaspora. The study results will help formulate two documents related to the diaspora.
Nexus Moldova is a prototype of an integrated and durable migration services provider. It offers practical solutions to help Moldovan migrants/diaspora achieve their personal migration goals through a platform that enables conversation and builds community.
