Migrant money from Russia a lifeline for Central Asia – High Point Enterprise

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Jun 26, 2025 - 06:00
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Migrant money from Russia a lifeline for Central Asia – High Point Enterprise

Impact of Emigrant Labour on Sustainable Development in Central Asia

Introduction

In the remote town of Batken, located in southern Kyrgyzstan, significant community infrastructure developments are underway. These include the construction of a library, a conference hall, and a women’s sports centre. The funding for these projects primarily comes from Kyrgyz emigrants working abroad, particularly in Russia, who send remittances back to their home country.

Role of Emigrant Labour in Local Economies

The Batken project exemplifies the critical role that emigrant labour plays in the economies of Central Asian countries. Remittances from emigrants contribute to local development, supporting social infrastructure and community facilities.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The initiatives funded by emigrant remittances in Batken align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including:

  1. SDG 1: No Poverty – By providing financial resources that improve community infrastructure, remittances help reduce poverty in rural areas.
  2. SDG 4: Quality Education – The construction of a library supports lifelong learning opportunities and access to educational resources.
  3. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The establishment of a women’s sports centre promotes gender equality and empowers women through sports and physical activity.
  4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Emigrant labour provides income for families and stimulates local economic growth through increased spending and investment.
  5. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The development of community facilities enhances the sustainability and resilience of local towns like Batken.

Conclusion

The example of Batken highlights how emigrant labour and remittances contribute significantly to sustainable development in Central Asia. By funding essential community projects, emigrants support multiple SDGs, fostering social inclusion, economic growth, and improved quality of life in their home regions.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

  1. SDG 4: Quality Education – The article discusses the construction of a library and a conference hall, which are educational and community infrastructure projects.
  2. SDG 5: Gender Equality – The mention of a women’s sports centre highlights efforts towards empowering women and promoting gender equality.
  3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The article emphasizes the importance of emigrant labour and remittances in supporting local economies.
  4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The role of emigrants sending money home from Russia to Kyrgyzstan suggests efforts to reduce economic disparities.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs

  1. SDG 4: Quality Education
    • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
  2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
    • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.
  3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
    • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation.
    • Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking, and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour.
  4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
    • Target 10.c: Reduce to less than 3% the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5%.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

  1. SDG 4 Indicators
    • Indicator 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to basic services and facilities (such as libraries and sports facilities).
  2. SDG 5 Indicators
    • Indicator 5.5.2: Proportion of women in managerial positions or participating in leadership roles, implied by the focus on women’s sports centre as a means of empowerment.
  3. SDG 8 Indicators
    • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment, related to emigrant labour.
    • Indicator 8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labour, indirectly relevant to labour migration context.
  4. SDG 10 Indicators
    • Indicator 10.c.1: Remittance costs as a proportion of the amount remitted, directly connected to the importance of emigrant remittances mentioned in the article.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 4: Quality Education 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. 4.a.1: Proportion of schools with access to basic services and facilities (libraries, sports facilities).
SDG 5: Gender Equality 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels. 5.5.2: Proportion of women in managerial positions or leadership roles.
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies supporting productive activities and decent job creation.
8.7: Eradicate forced labour, modern slavery, and child labour.		 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment.
8.7.1: Proportion and number of children aged 5-17 engaged in child labour.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities 10.c: Reduce transaction costs of migrant remittances to less than 3% and eliminate corridors with costs higher than 5%. 10.c.1: Remittance costs as a proportion of the amount remitted.

Source: hpenews.com