A meeting was held between the MTSZN and the IOM on combating human trafficking

A meeting was held between the MTSZN and the IOM on combating human trafficking

The Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan Serik Shapkenov and the Head of the Representative Office of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Kazakhstan, the Coordinator of IOM in Central Asia Zeynal Hajiyev met to discuss issues of labor migration and the fight against human trafficking.

«On behalf of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan, let me welcome you and congratulate you on the World Day against Human Trafficking, celebrated on July 30. It is pleasant to note that Kazakhstan's relations with the International Organization for Migration are developing in line with constructive and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Ministry attaches particular importance to strengthening cooperation with the International Organization for Migration, » Serik Shapkenov said, opening the negotiation process.

In his speech, the head of the Ministry of Health noted that in order to coordinate the interaction of interested state bodies on combating human trafficking in Kazakhstan, there is an appropriate interdepartmental commission, which includes representatives of the IOM.

«On February 24 this year, the Government approved an Action Plan for the prevention, prevention and fight against crimes related to human trafficking for 2021-2023. As part of the implementation of one of the points of this Plan, the issue of developing a draft law "On combating human trafficking in the Republic of Kazakhstan» is being considered. In addition, the draft concept of the Social Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan includes a norm providing for the provision of special social services to victims of human trafficking», Serik Shapkenov informed.

The Minister also thanked the IOM for cooperation in the field of migration, in particular in the development of the draft Concept of the Migration Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2022-2026.

«On July 19 of this year, the Head of State signed a decree «On measures to further improve the public administration system of the Republic of Kazakhstan», which provides for the transfer of 22 functions and powers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the field of population migration, as well as refugee issues, to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection from January 1, 2022. In order to implement this Decree, the issue of creating a separate committee in the field of migration under the Ministry is being considered», he added.

At the end of his speech, the head of the Ministry also said that a new Cooperation Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the International Organization for Migration, which will replace the current agreement of 1998, is included in the Plan for concluding international treaties for 2021. Currently, the draft Agreement is being approved by the state authorities.

In turn, Zeynal Hajiyev thanked the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan for cooperation, and also expressed readiness on the part of the IOM to continue to provide Kazakhstan with the necessary assistance in solving issues related to migration and combating human trafficking.

«I am sure that through mutual efforts we will be able to bring our cooperation to a qualitatively new level!» said the Head of the representative office of the International Organization for Migration in Kazakhstan.