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ILO International Labor Organisation |
International Conference on Social and Labour Issues: Overcoming the Adverse Consequences of the Transition Period in RussiaThe ILO Office in Moscow, together with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions and the Coordinating Council of Associations of Employers - organized in Moscow from Oct. 4 to 6 a series of significant technical events dealing with the situation in the labour and social spheres, with special reference to social dialogue, employment promotion, wage and income policy and social-protection reform. Working groups on each of these areas met and discussed the issues on Oct. 4 and 5, with their conclusions and recommendations being presented and debated to the larger, joint Conference on the 6th. The conference also attracted representatives of the Council of Federation and of the State Duma, of the Presidential Administration, of various sectors of Government and of the National Tripartite Commission. Representatives of the European Communities, OECD, the UNDP and the World Bank took an active part in Conference deliberations, as well as a wide range of national and international experts. All together, some 200 delegates participated. It is perhaps useful here to recall some of the broad considerations discussed. While the financial events of August 1998 had a negative impact on the overall social and economic situation in Russia, this impact was not as dramatic as some had feared. Major difficulties remain in the labour and social spheres, however, which require urgent and strong corrective action. |
 The presidium of the International Conference in Moscow (from left to right: Mr. Hembrechts, ILO Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, Mr. Hultin, ILO Executive Director, Mr. Rozhkov, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Development of the RF, Mr. Gruat, ILO Moscow Office, Director, Mr. Shmakov, FITUR, Chairman, Mr. Biriukov, Coordinating Council of Employers, Deputy Chairman, Mr. Frolov, Russian Tripartite Committee, Chief Secretary). |
The issues at stake are not only the need to restructure and consolidate the Russian economy but also to rebuild sound governance and social efficiency. It is through the active participation of the people, and of the representatives of the various stakeholders. Building a more socially just society will take concerted action by these groups in alleviating poverty, improving incomes, strengthening systems of social protection, promoting fair and equitable employment and social dialogue. Additionally, the conference marked the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the ILO Office in Moscow. The occasion was marked by a formal ceremony followed by an informal gathering of all conference participants. All those present expressed their wishes for continued strong and fruitful cooperation. Full reports on the individual workshops and the general conference are available in English and Russian through the ILO Office in Moscow, Petrovka, 15, Ap.23, 103031, Moscow. E-mail: moscow@ilo.org, http://ilomos.ton.ru |
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UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees |
Agreement with the Krasnodar KraiThe Krasnodar Krai is one of the regions in Russia with a large number of IDPs. Over 38,000 have been registered with the local Migration Service as refugees and forced migrants. In addition, some 13,500 Meskhetian Turks are located in the Krai. According to various sources, there are some 30,000 Meskhetian Turks on the territory of Russia. They were earlier deported from Georgia (1994) and Uzbekistan (1989). The presence of migrants, refugees and formerly deported people has brought about an extra burden on the social infrastructure. Some schools, hospitals and clinics are overloaded.
Following a request by the Ministry of National and Regional Policies, UNHCR agreed to provide assistance in order diffuse tension and prevent inter-ethnic violence. According to the agreement concluded last year between UNHCR and the Ministry of Nationalities, some community-based support for medical and educational facilities was provided in Krymsk and Abinsk, partly inhabited by Meskhetian Turks. This year this assistance has been expanded to two more districts of the Krasnodar Krai, namely Apsheronsk and Belorechensk. A Tripartite agreement was concluded between UNHCR, the Ministry of Regional and National Policies and the administration of Abinsk, Krymsk, Apsheronsk and Belorechensk. According to the agreement UNHCR has allocated (first reference is sufficient - don't need to keep saying U.S.) over $154 thousand to improve educational and medical conditions for Meskhetian Turks and the local population in these four districts. Assistance to OrenburgFrom the beginning of 1999 some 40,437 persons were registered as forced migrants by the Orenburg Regional Migration Service. The majority has come from Kazakhstan, which shares a common border with the region. Following the request of the Federal Migration Service, UNHCR has concluded a Tripartite agreement with the Orenburg Temporary Accommodation Center and the Federal Migration Service for the rehabilitation of the center. At present 77 families (172 people) are living there. The agreement includes repairs to the building, procurement of a vehicle and clothing for migrants. UNHCR has allocated some $15,000 for this project. Delivers Relief Supplies to some 29,000 Displaced Persons in DagestanAccording to local sources, some 29,000 persons have been displaced as a result of the military activities in Dagestan. At the request of the Dagestan government and with the agreement of the federal authorities, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees sent convoys of relief items to Dagestan. On September 7 and 14 a total of 20 trucks, made available by EMERCOM, transported from Stavropol to Makhachkala UNHCR relief items totaling some US$ 179,000. They included: mattresses, blankets, tents, plastic sheeting, soap, kitchen sets and winter clothes. In addition basic food items were also delivered: including wheat flour, rice, sugar and vegetable oil. Further relief supplies will be delivered to Dagestan and distributed as needed. All relief items were distributed by and through the local authorities and local non-governmental organizations. A School in the Village Will Get Help from UNHCRThe school in the village of Sloboda, Bobrovsky district in the Voronehz Region, was opened a few years ago for 180 pupils from refugees' and migrants' families in the building of the former local boarding school. Now some 400 pupils are attending the school and refugees' and migrants' children make up 65 per cent out of the students. The Federal Migration Service and local Administration provided funds to complete the rehabilitation of the building and the construction of the gym, while UNHCR has allocated some 394.000 rubles to buy furniture and educational equipment for chemistry and physics classrooms. |
This and other factors
have lead to inter-ethnic tension in some settlements inhabited by the local population
and migrants. During joint missions undertaken by the Russian authorities and UNHCR to the
Krasnodar Krai, tension was noted in the districts of Krymsk and Abinsk.