Moldova ranks second in the volume of remittances from migrant workers
The other day, a study on migration and remittances of migrant workers was presented, conducted by the Moldavian public opinion research agency CBS-AXA with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the European Union Food Security Programme, and the IMF, reports IA Regnum. As stated by IMF representative in Moldova Edgardo Ruggiero, this country ranks second in the world by the volume of remittances from citizens working abroad (only Eritrea surpasses it).
In 2004, remittances to Moldova amounted to $701 million (27% of the country's GDP). The study was conducted in October-November 2004, at which time 571 thousand Moldovan citizens were working abroad, and another 690 thousand expressed a desire to go abroad for the same purpose. Over 58% of migrants work in Russia, about 19% in Italy, 5% in Portugal. The average salary of migrant workers in Russia is $372, in Italy $934, in Portugal $890. According to the latest census, the population of Moldova is about 3.5 million people.
Japan should not rely on labor from abroad
Japan should not rely on immigrants as a source of labor; it needs to more actively involve women, youth, and the elderly. As reported by RIA Novosti, this is stated in the published "White Paper" of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
Relying on unskilled labor from abroad means planting a time bomb under the social security system. It also stimulates crime growth and reduces the level of competitiveness in Japanese society, the document states. The authors of the "Book" believe it is necessary to create an appropriate labor environment so that pensioners, young people, and women with children have more opportunities to realize their potential.
According to the statistics cited in the document, Japan's population, which was 127 million 690 thousand people in October of last year, will reach its peak next year, after which it will begin to decline. The number of working-age Japanese is already decreasing, while the number of pensioners is growing rapidly, placing a heavy burden on the social security system.
Life expectancy in Japan is the highest in the world, averaging 78 years for men and 85 years for women. At the same time, the birth rate in the country has declined to 1.29 children per woman. In Japan, 48.3% of women work, while in the United States their number is 59.5%, according to the White Paper.