Integration of migrants : Armenian realities

Abstract

This paper embarks upon a brief examination of the history of the formation and development of the Armenian diaspora. Special attention is given to the quantitative, structural, and qualitative changes that the diaspora has experienced as a result of international and domestic migration flows brought about by the collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as by the related aggravation of the geopolitical situation in the Near East. This paper proposes and defines notions of “old Armenian diaspora”, “new Armenian diaspora”, “integrated diaspora”, and “non-integrated diaspora”. Attention is also given to the non-homogeneity of the last of these categories, both in terms of aspiration for integration within the host society, and in terms of the actual degree of integration therein. Based upon an analysis and comparison of Armenian and Russian research data and materials, the author identifies and characterizes the peculiarities of the integration process amongst the non-integrated segment of the Armenian diaspora. Integration processes in the legal, residential, labour and general economic and social integration of emigrants from Armenia in the various host countries (mostly in the Russian Federation) are examined and evaluated separately. The paper identifies and characterizes the main issues which they face in a multilateral and complex integration process, and establishes the principal causes for these challenges. The second part of the paper examines the issue of the reintegration of Armenian return emigrants and the integration of the small number of persons who migrate into Armenia. The main problem of resettlement for migrants who return to Armenia, we suggest, is work-related: it is caused both by limited demand in the labour market and by low levels of labour income. What is more, upon return, migrants face problems such as finding housing, receiving medical assistance, sending children to school, and obstacles in exercising their rights, both from the point of view of insufficient knowledge, and because of various bureaucratic hurdles and delays. The paper places particular emphasis on the fact that the reintegration of migrants into the Armenian Republic is problematic not only due to unfavourable conditions in the country, but also because of an absence of any state policy in this regard.