– Generally when we talk about immigration in the Western Balkans, we always strive to change the narrative that dominated so far, which the Western Balkans are positioned exclusively as a transit for migrant in the way for Western Europe. However, the projects tell us something different – said Lungarotti.
In the haf interview, Lungarotti spoke IOM’s labor mobility for Western Balkans, changes in migration routes, the Ministerial Conference in Budva, but also IOM-reducing the volume of funding.
She said that migrations were not just a negative phenomenon, ie illegal crossing the boundaries of those who have no right, but it is also the possibility for economic conditions, growth, contribution to pension and social funds, provided that migrations are adequately managed.
Lungarotti reminded that IOM recently published the Workforce Mobility Strategy for the Western Balkans, which is the result of more than 100 consultations throughout the employees, decision migrants and migrants.
– The strategy simply identifies the need for migrants for demographic changes, lack of labor market, but also the need for strong growth if the region wants to become part of the European Union – she said.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-a1bbwb8vs
He claims that there is certainly a need for migrants to workers and that they are already present in the region.
– There was an increase in the number of work permits from 2018. when about 40,000 licenses were issued, but 2023. and 2024. The number is more than 100,000, which shows that migrants workers have already explained.
Lungarotti emphasized that the strategy tries to point out that policy makers must understand the need to develop inclusive policies to reflect these new realities, a winning combination for all parties, and employees and employers, but also for states.
She also spoke about changes in migration routes in BiH and said that there was really a significant reduction in the number of illegal entrances to the Western Balkans, but that this is the result of the entire number of factors.
– On the one hand, there is an increase in the number of police operations and border controls throughout the region together with the engagement of Frontex power. Migration management policies in countries surrounding the Western Balkans, such as Turkey and Greece, has also changed, but we also have activities on the repatriation of certain citizens of certain countries, ie their return to the country of origin, and one of the factors is also registration. We do not think that the numbers actually indicate the total number of those entering the countries of the region – it pointed out.
He believes that the networks of smuggling are much more sophisticated and that it is much faster to enable the transition of migrants through the Western Balkans for Western Europe.
– We see this, of course and first hand in the reception centers in BiH where there are fewer users who need care, or we are informed about the phenomenon where immigrants pay the entire package to your smugglers involving other things and accommodation. It’s a very complex question – she said.
Lungarotti says that the figures are in the fall, but that the fall is the result of a combination of all complex ways of entering the region.
Speaking of the increased number of work permits for foreign workers in BiH, Lungarotti emphasized that the primary goal for the entire Western Balkans to ensure that their citizens fill out the tasks available, ie to contribute to the economy.
– But at the same time, policies that enable greater inclusiveness of the labor force, by the domestic, would not be sufficient and should be supplemented with foreign workers. These are mostly economic branches where there is a really great need for labor, tourism, production, transport, building … primarily, these are labor market skills, but also where qualifications are needed.
He considers the necessary existence of policies that will monitor the arrival of such migrants in the region, their involvement in the economy, as well as access to services, to enable the benefits of their stay in the country in its entirety. She added that a number of migrants coming to regular roads leave the workplace in BiH, although they have a work permit, because all conditions in the context of the work environment are still not created.
– We need to ensure a winning combination for all parties – she said.
Lungarotti claims that at this point, it cannot be discussed on the integration of migrants in the Western Balkans, but possibly about the inclusion of those who come with regular roads.
– There is a whole range of initiatives that IOM initiates and implemented together with the Employers’ Associations, BiH Employment Agency and the BiH Ministry of Civil Affairs. The aim is to provide information services for migrants in order to know the ways of accessing different services, from health to social protection, but also to help communicate with newcomers – she said.
As an example, he stated the Federation of BiH, which initiated the Audit of the Law on Foreigners, ie the employment of foreigners and stressed that they support the line-up authorities in the Federation to ensure inclusiveness and principles of respect for rights.
– Generally speaking, a whole range of activities that help in inclusion was launched and hopefully in some step and integration.
Lungarotti announced that 15. and 16. May in Budva will be held an important Ministerial Conference in the Montenegrin Ministry of Labor and the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) with the support of ILO, IOM and the European Union in Montenegro.
– The entire topic of labor and mobility mobility is not just a necessity for this region, but also a significant opportunity for growth is simultaneous. The idea is to gather all policy makers, ie decision makers and everyone understands that they can enjoy the benefits of well-regulated migration – she said.
Lungarotti said that IOM was also affected by the US suspension by the U.S., and that these orders had direct effects on the project funded by the United States.
– Globally, Iom was faced with the necessity of releasing a large number of employees. Not only dismissals, but also suspending the US funded projects. However, in this region we do not have funds from the US, so we do not have these direct consequences. We are still operational and engaged in all activities and for now we have not felt a change – she said.
Lungarotti said that new American politics currently from all actors in humanitarian work and development, including IOM, seeks ensuring a higher activity effect, lower the price of that work and investment in concrete changes for people.
– We work in IOM at that change, although IOM has already been an extremely operational organization without that, but a high degree of effects. You can expect our work to be further further improved in the future, but there will be no changes in our operations in the Balkans, the IOM Mission Mission (IOM) and the Regional Coordinator for the Western Balkans Laura Lungarotti in the hail interview.
(Vijesti.ba / Fena)
