Exploring the Link between Moldovan Communities Abroad ... - Iom

helped shape the social, economic and political environment migrants inhabit is that ofcivil society. Most notably, the work of NGOs, particularly those active in the realm ofhuman/labor rights, is striking. The influence of Italian civil society, known for itsdiversity and vibrancy, was very evident when examining the plight of Moldovanmigrants in that country. As one interviewee from the Rome Municipality observed,"NGOs and other associations [active here] are typically Italian in style, through creatinga strong network that seeks to resolve/contain social problems that arise". He added thatlocal government often works in tandem with civil society, "the municipality [sets] apolicy line and coordinates with the activities of these associations".However, civil society is inhabited by organizations of many different forms and manydifferent orientations. Not all NGOs willingly work hand in hand with government andcertainly not in Italy; some act as ideological adversaries of the state. One vividillustration of this, to which we were exposed, was the case of an abandoned building in aRome neighborhood occupied by Moldovan migrants (squatters). An extremely activistItalian NGO assumed the role of advocate for these migrants and repeatedly defied theorders of the Rome municipality. Ultimately, through the work of this NGO, and throughnegotiation with the authorities, the migrant squatters were granted permission to remainin the disputed structure. But the activist role of NGOs in advocating on behalf ofmigrants is by no means limited to Italy. In Israel as well, a host of NGOs were mobilizedin order to secure and defend the rights of migrant laborers. The work of two such NGOsin particular was praised by the Moldovan consul in Tel Aviv, who on numerousoccasions referred to them Moldovan nationals experiencing legal problems. Notsurprisingly, the mechanisms afforded either by government (at any level) or civil societyin the Russian Federation to ease the plight of Moldovan migrants seemed few and farbetween. This is clearly a reflection of the nature of the Russian polity and represents aconsiderable and qualitative departure from the socio-political conditions experienced bymigrants residing in countries of the west.It is necessary to point out that for migrants to be able to avail themselves of the servicesprovided by (central or local) government or by civil society, the necessary infrastructurefor formal and informal communications must be in place. Very few of the migrants withwhom we met informally in the city squares of Rome for example, were aware of the"joint counselors" in formal municipal forums ostensibly speaking in their name. Whenconsidering the relative hospitality or socio-political openness of a given society formigrants, it is also necessary to take into account the means – formal and informal –through which these migrants may access the same individuals, organizations andinstitutions that exist in order to improve their quality of life.CommunicationsMuch has been said this far about the limitations experienced by migrants in accessinginformation about the countries in which they reside (specifically legal information),about their country of origin and even about the migrant community in which they reside.The lack of printed media and the disinclination of most Moldovan migrants to access theinternet represent serious shortcomings when considering the ability of these migrants toaccess relevant information. The lives of large numbers of migrants – particularly womenliving with families as domestics or caregivers – are characterized by a pronounced socialisolation, conditions which do not easily facilitate access to media of masscommunication, even if those are in great abundance.23