11-12 October, Dushanbe – Tajikistan relies heavily on migration, primarily to the Russian Federation. When abroad, many migrants work in ‘dirty, difficult, and dangerous’ jobs where they face great personal risk of injury, health deterioration, or mental health challenges. On return to Tajikistan, migrants may be suffering from physical injuries or disabilities sustained while working abroad, as well as psychological or mental health struggles. Supporting these return migrants and their families requires a holistic approach where health and non-health actors come together to work jointly to ensure that those struggling with these issues don’t slip through the cracks.  

To work towards this, IOM – The UN Migration Agency hosted a roundtable in Dushanbe; A dialogue on returned Tajik migrants: health and reintegration issues. Leading experts from a wide range of international organisations, donors, Government Ministries, public organisations, and national specialists in this area joined the discussion to work towards strengthening coordination for the good of migrants’ health.

The situation in Tajikistan for return migrants’ access to health and mental health care services was presented by Ms. Alla Ivanova from the Institute of Demographic Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences who presented her research on Disability among returning migrant workers in Tajikistan. The prevalence and causes of disability among return Tajik migrants were presented and their needs identified, with a particular focus on barriers to access of services.

It was noted that IOM’s joint project with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment (Returned Tajik Migrants: Promoting a Multi-Stakeholder Response to Mental Health and Disability issues) can act as a catalyst to solve numberous issues in the sphere of access to healthcare and return migration.

Following this, participants then discussed potential solutions to the reintegration of return migrants – especially those with poor mental health, disabilities or functional limitations.  A particular focus was paid to creating environment for developing small and medium business by returned migrants with disability. Urgent need for developing the National Mental Health Program was raised during working in the small groups.  

This roundtable greatly raised awareness among key decision makers about the health issues of migrants.  The authorities underlined the importance of providing evidence-based data on mental health and disability issues among return Tajik migrants.  Documented research results  can assist policy makers in advocating for the rights of Tajik migrants in high-level bilateral events between Tajikistan and host countries. Participants concluded that health and non-health actors  should work together to promote the health of migrants through providing pre-departure preparation, social protection, dignified work and access to health services.

This roundtable was made possible by funding from the IOM Development Fund.