From the 7th to 10th of November, Valentina Chupik, one of the representatives of Tong Jahoni International NGO in Moscow, visited Armenia within the framework of Promoting Protection of Labour Migrants by Strengthening Partnership in Kyrgyzstan, Armenia and Russia program implemented by Armenian Caritas Benevolent NGO. Valentina Chupik is an experienced human rights defender in Russia more specifically specialized in the field of migrants’ rights. So, the purpose of her visit was to conduct training sessions for the employees of State Employment Agency under the Ministry of Labour and Social Issues of the Republic of Armenia, as well as for the employees of “Armenian Caritas” NGO and other NGOs. In order to provide a wide representation two of the training sessions were held in Yerevan and the other two in Shirak and Gegharkunik Provinces. During the training sessions those who are in charge of providing pre-departure counseling to labour migrants traveling to Russia gained skills and obtained knowledge how to behave if a police officer approaches and wants to check documents, how to protect the rights at courts, or how not to become a victim of scam while searching home or job. The methodology of the training sessions was extremely effective since it was based on different imitative situations the direct participants of which were training attendees and the trainer herself. Valentina took roles such as a representative of a state body, police officer, employer, and renter and so forth. Based on these roles, she imitated situations that migrants can encounter. Then they shifted positions in this case Valentina taking the position of a migrant and reacting to every situation thus rendering how migrants should behave in certain cases.
Armenian citizens in Russia can dial 24 HOURS A DAY and FREE hotline numbers +7 903 148 9636 or +7 926 834 7602. If their rights are violated by
- – Police officers
- – Migration Service employees
- – Border guards and customs officers
- – Employers or partners
- – Renters
- – Others
