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

agencies. Among the threats confronting efforts to strengthen ties between Moldova andMCA are: the ambiguous legal framework in host countries governing migration; thelinguistic/cultural divide within MCA, which addresses the very essence of "Moldovannational identity"; and the increasingly tenuous link of 2 nd and 3 rd generation migrants tothe homeland.Emerging recommendationsThe recommendations contained in this report are neither comprehensive nor systematic,but do provide the basis for a thorough reconsideration of existing policy. They are also,in some cases, consistent with the recommendations appearing in the National ActionPlan formulated by the BIR.In the realm of Bi-lateral agreements:The Moldovan government, in the context of its bi-lateral relations with MCA hostcountries, should seek agreements to:• Safeguard the basic human rights of migrants• Legalizing or "regularize" their status• Establish a "grace period" during which migrants would be able to work andconcurrently be free to sort out their status• Recognize the professional qualification/credentials of certain skilled/educatedmigrants.In the realm of the functioning of Moldovan diplomatic missions, the Moldovanauthorities are advised to:• Factor into decisions of deploying consular personnel the demographicdistribution of migrants in host countries• Dispatch specially trained labor attaches to certain key destination cities• Lobby for the opening of an Italian Embassy in Moldova• Empower diplomatic personnel with the necessary skills and resources toundertake the types of programs that could meaningfully impact the link betweenMCA and homeland• Allocate sums for the organizing of socio-cultural events in destination countriesfor Moldovan nationalsIn the realm of communications, it is recommended that the relevant authorities considerthe:• Possibilities of harnessing cell phone technology for the purpose of enhancing theinformation link between MCA and Moldova• Publication of a Moldovan community newspaper in destination countries,drawing on external institutional support as well as internal community resourcesThe embassies and consulates could also take a more active role by gathering,simplifying, clarifying, disseminating and updating the myriad information pertinent tothe lives of migrants in the countries in which they serve.Another institution which could play a constructive role in facilitating the reciprocal flowof information between homeland and MCA is the commercial agencies that areincreasingly patronized by migrants for the transfer of remittancesReturning to Moldova4