Research on Labor Migration Processes in South Caucasus
conducted by PHDS within the EU funded Program Enhancing NGO and Governmental Cooperation to Fight Trafficking in Women and Children program.
The pilot research on migration processes examines the structural characteristics of migration flows and trends in South Caucasus. The analysis of the research is a valuable source for the state stakeholders, developing national migration policies. Expert opinion survey, one of the components of the research reveals the level of cooperation between the civil society and government. Case study of human trafficking stories (victim’s human stories) is another component of the research, which studies the process of recruitment, reasons for leaving abroad, creation of psycho-social portrait of a victim of human trafficking.
Research on Problems of Migrants Flowing from Georgia and Ukraine to Greece
conducted within the EU funded "Program of Cooperation in the Black Sea Region in the Area of Migration between the Countries of Origin, Transit and Destination"
Main research components and the methodology was defined at the seminar in Shekvetili, Georgia on July 11-12, 2009, when the program partners together with the experts discussed the gaps in researches conducted by that time, the demand for program research and its main outline.
The research focused on the following key theme: problems of labor migration from Georgia to Greece (based on the Convention on the Rights of migrants), including those faced in the country of origin, in transit countries and the country of destination. The methodology used includes: semi-structured expert interviews, semi-structured interviews with migrants, selection of Case Studies (individual stories) most reflective of the problems faced by the migrants interviewed. Based on the ToR a tender was conducted in August 2009. An evaluation committee was established, consisting of three Georgian research consultants, who evaluated the 6 proposals received prior to the announced deadline and recommended PHDS to negotiate the terms of the contract with TASO Foundation (Womens’ and Memory Research Center) and the TASO Foundation was selected to implement the field research.
Following elaboration of semi-structured interview guides in September-October 2009 face-to-face 22 expert interviews were conducted with experts in Georgia and in Greece. Interviews targeted key relevant governmental, non-governmental and international organizations dealing with labor migration/trafficking issues, leaders of organized migrant groups and people regularly involved with migrants. Main sampling was done using the snowball technique (list of major organizations was sent to some key informants who were asked to name experts in these organizations; most frequently named experts were selected to be interviewed). Migrant leaders and single experts regularly engaged with migrants were interviewed following multiple recommendations of migrants. All interviews were audio recorded, then transcribed, codified and submitted to qualitative and quantitative analysis that is currently underway.
In October-December 2009 semi-structured face-to-face interviews with migrants were conducted in both Georgia (28 interviews) and Greece (27 interviews). Based on the list of migrants willing to give interviews in Georgia and Greece (lists were obtained from relevant organizations dealing with migration issues, from organized migrants groups, charge and the Georgian Diaspora in Greece; as well as through informal contacts with migrants groups) simple prescreening was made in order to collect basic information on migrants’ profile (sex; age; duration of (ree)migration; education; marital status). The Georgian team had meetings with state authorities and representatives of international organizations working in the area of migrants, visited the Greek city Xsanti, which is the first destination point for migrants, who had illegally crossed the border. These visits were aimed at better understanding of the migrants situation in Greece and the ways they seek to cross the border. A well-balanced representative sample of migrants was selected for conducting the semi-structured interviews. The interview guide was finalized following the results of the expert interviews and tested in the field prior to conducting the main survey. The interviews contained a set of closed and multiple choice questions in order to collect basic quantitative information from the respondents, as well as number open questions in order to generate qualitative data. All interviews were audio recorded, then transcribed and submitted to qualitative and quantitative analysis that is currently underway.
Data analysis and interpretation of the information collected through both expert migrant interviews is now in progress and it due to be completed by the end of February. In the course of analysis a participatory discussion group of the initial research results with key experts and some migrants will be conducted. The results of this discussion group will contribute to the interpretation of the research results.
Based on the findings of the survey, a number of cases most reflective of the problems faced by the migrants interviewed (special attention will be paid to the issues of illegal migration and trafficking) will be selected and transformed from the interview script into the written case studies (around 10 individual stories). These case studies will be included into the final publication of the research results.
Exchange of research results between Georgia, Greece and Ukraine and their cross-fertilization will take place upon completion of research in all three countries. The publication of research results in Georgia will be launched with wide participation of relevant stakeholders and will be following by a round table discussion of issues related to policy making and more effective management of migration currents.
Exchange of research results between Georgia, Greece and Ukraine and their cross-fertilization will take place upon completion of research in all three countries. The publication of research results in Georgia will be launched with wide participation of relevant stakeholders and will be following by a round table discussion of issues related to policy making and more effective management of migration currents.
Materials of Round Table:
MIGRATION FLOWS AND TENDENCIES WITHIN AND FROM BLACK SEA REGION
