Previous research proved vital need to build migrant community networks to serve as communication bridge between the Moldovan Government (through diplomatic missions) and overseas nationals, with a view to maximize Diaspora participation in Moldova's (migration) policy formulation and implementation, as well as to facilitate Diaspora's contribution to Moldova's economic development. Accordingly, there has been identified a need to assist the Moldovan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) consular staff with elaboration, publishing and dissemination of information relevant to migrant communities with a view to facilitate Diaspora contributions to Moldova's economic development. In order to achieve this aim, IOM Moldova together with its Government counterparts performed an array of activities to complete the compilation and systematization of informative materials foreseen for dissemination among Moldovan communities from main destination countries of Moldovan migrant workers.
IOM in collaboration with a team of MFA compiled information on Government policies, legislation and practice on business registration and operation, banking and finance system regulations, tax regulations, pension and social security schemes, public health, out-of-country registration and voting, visa information, assisted return programs, labour migration agreements, migrant rights and obligations, remittances channels, investment opportunities and access to credit. In order to ensure that the provided information is in full compliance with policies of the different arms of the Moldovan Government, the MFA officially coordinated this information compilation with the Ministry of Economy and Trade, Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Central Electoral Commission, Ministry of Interior, Border Guard Service, National Bank of Moldova, State Fiscal Service and Ministry of Finance. Following the feedback received from all these agencies, all the information was structured into three separate information brochures, titled Migrants Guides.
• The first Guide, "Legal Migration vs. Illegal Migration", contains useful and practical information related to regular labour migration, including the rights and obligations provided for the migrants by Moldovan legislation, procedures related to registration of contracts in main destination countries of Moldovan labour migrants, issuance of residence permits, tips on registration in trade unions, medical insurance, visa regime, risks of the irregular migration and reference to additional sources of information.
• The second volume of "Migrants Guide" is focused on practicalities regarding participation of migrants in the pension and social security schemes, out-of-country registration and voting, medical insurance system in Moldova and medical checks before going abroad, as well as the bilateral agreements, facilitating access to social entitlements, concluded with other countries.
• The third volume of Migrants guide "Doing Business in Moldova" provides information on Moldovan banking and finance system regulations, tax regulations, money transfer opportunities, business set up formalities, remittances investment opportunities and credit system in Moldova.
IOM in collaboration with the Moldovan MFA published and distributed to the Moldovan diplomatic missions 12.000 copies of the three-module "Migrant Guide" to serve as information resources for the newly established Information Centres aiming to reach out to Moldovan migrant communities and associations."
