London, UK – A delegation of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic went on a work trip on 13-16 March 2023 to improve their understanding on the UK’s Seasonal Workers Scheme and to expand employment opportunities for Kyrgyz migrants. The work visit has been organized within the framework of IOM Kyrgyzstan’s project “Supporting safe and orderly migration from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the UK”, funded by the UK Government. Delegation is represented by Mr. Nurbek Abdiev, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Nurdoolot Bazarbaev, the Deputy Minister of Labour, Social Welfare, and Migration, and Ms. Aijan Tabaldieva, representative of the Consular Service under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Kyrgyz delegation met with the UK Government counterparts, including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Home Office, Gangmasters Labour Abuse Authority, and the Ministry of State for Food. At the meetings, the participants exchanged their views and information on the SWS program and experience of Kyrgyz migrants in the UK, discuss current challenges and opportunities for migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan, and discuss opportunities for strengthening cooperation to expand labour opportunities for Kyrgyz migrants in the UK.

The Kyrgyz delegation also travelled to Staples Farm in Boston (Northern England) to meet with Kyrgyz migrants working at the Farm. As part of the visit to the farm, Kyrgyz delegation met with the farm staff, who conducted the tour around the farm and facilities for the seasonal workers, including the caravans, where migrants leave, and community center facilities, where migrants get to spend their free time and socialise with other workers and farm staff. The delegation met with the Kyrgyz migrants at the farm to discuss their needs and challenges during their work in the UK. The Kyrgyz delegation also saw how migrants work in the field and to learned about their work routines at the farm.

Through this work trip, the Kyrgyz delegation was able to learn about the priority needs of migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan related to the seasonal workers' scheme. IOM looks forward to continuing collaboration with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and the UK on promoting safe migration between the two countries.