The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported the conference, which was organized by the non-governmental organization Investconsult in co-operation with the Kyrgyz Ministry of Labour, Employment and Migration and the Batken Province Administration.

"Cross-border commuting is beneficial to both countries," said Martin Rossmann, the Environmental and Economic Officer at the OSCE Centre in Bishkek’s field Office in Osh."This conference contributed to a better understanding of labour flows in southern Kyrgyzstan, which supports efforts to guarantee labourers’ rights and prevent human trafficking for labour exploitation."

The conference brought together heads of migration departments in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and state officials from Kyrgyzstan’s Batken province and its neighbour on the Tajik side of the border, Sogd province. Border, customs, internal affairs, fiscal and law enforcement officials also took part in the conference.

Participants reviewed cross-border labour migration regulation and discussed how cross-border commuter flows can be better regulated and controlled. They also focused on the reasons for large-scale labour emigration from the Batken province.

Participants also developed recommendations that aim to improve cross-border labour migration in the region. The recommendations will be shared with state authorities.

The event is part of on an OSCE Centre in Bishkek programme on labour migration and employment.