Governmental officials, representatives of international organizations and civil society discussed the different aspects of migration and its impact on the human dimension and development of the Republic of Moldova during a roundtable organized on December 19, 2006.

The event was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), on the occasion of the International Migrants' Day, annually marked on 18th December as the International Day of Solidarity with Migrants.

Titled "International Migrants Day: Migration Realities in Moldova", the roundtable approached migration as a complex and crosscutting phenomena, with its positive and negative impact on Moldovan society.

The discussion was built around four study reports, elaborated by IOM, UNICEF and UNDP with the support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the European Commission. The impact of migration and remittances at the household level, the situation of children left behind by migrating parents, the human cost of migration, its impact on the communities and the abuse of Moldovan migrants' rights - these are some of the subjects addressed.

The studies show, inter alia, that while Moldovan migrants' remittances amounted to one third of Gross Domestic Product (just above US$ billion in 2006), and the remittances investments in small businesses slightly increased, migration in Moldova impacts badly on children left behind by migrating parents and the human rights of migrants from Moldova are violated. These findings prove once again the fact that migration needs to be approached as a complex phenomenon with both positive and negative aspects.

"There is no denying that migrants make a significant contribution to the social and economic development of the countries in which they live and work. Given that, equal consideration must be given to their safety and well-being", says IOM Director General Brunson McKinley. "Migrants have to be helped in a rapid, safe and well-coordinated manner".

For further information, please contact Iraida Margineanu, IOM Chisinau, Tel. +373 222 329 41, imargineanu@iom.int