Kyrgyz citizens - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 3

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Expands Labor Cooperation with Japan to Promote Safe Migration

Kyrgyzstan is strengthening labor migration ties with Japan as part of a broader strategy to diversify employment opportunities for its citizens abroad. The Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration is working to establish safe, legal, and skills-based pathways for Kyrgyz workers to access the Japanese labor market, in line with international labor standards and Japan’s workforce demands. On July 2, officials from the Ministry’s Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad met in Bishkek with representatives from the Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC), an organization that facilitates the recruitment of specified skilled workers in Japan’s construction sector. The two sides discussed plans to create a specialized training center in Kyrgyzstan to prepare construction professionals according to Japanese industry standards. They also agreed to develop free Japanese language courses to enhance the employability of Kyrgyz job seekers. In May, Kyrgyz Minister of Labor Ravshanbek Sabirov held talks with Hitoshi Kanamori, President of IM Japan, the largest Japanese organization overseeing the technical intern training program. The discussions focused on expanding structured employment pathways for Kyrgyz nationals in Japan. The Kyrgyz side reiterated its commitment to training workers in fields currently in high demand in Japan, including IT, social services, hospitality, and skilled trades such as welding. Both parties stressed the importance of integrating vocational training with Japanese language instruction. Minister Sabirov also emphasized the need to ensure labor protections for Kyrgyz citizens working abroad. “It is important that Kyrgyz specialists not only secure employment but also have access to social insurance, legal protection, and consistent communication with Kyrgyz government bodies,” he said. While Russia remains the primary destination for Kyrgyz labor migrants, recent years have seen growing interest in alternative destinations such as Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and parts of Europe.

Foreign Affairs

Former Kyrgyz Prime Minister Proposes Special Status for Citizens in Russia

At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025), Temir Sariyev, head of the Kyrgyz Chamber of Commerce and Industry and former prime minister, proposed granting Kyrgyz citizens a special status in Russia. The statement sparked mixed reactions in both Moscow and Bishkek. Speaking at the Kyrgyzstan-Russia business dialogue, Sariyev, who was involved in Kyrgyzstan’s accession negotiations to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), highlighted Bishkek’s consistent political and economic support for Moscow. He drew on historical ties, citing Kyrgyz support during the Great Patriotic War. “If we recall the Great Patriotic War, it was the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen who defended Moscow. It was a turning point. When the special military operation began, the first to extend a helping hand, without fear, was the Kyrgyz Republic,” Sariyev said, referring to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He proposed exploring the possibility of granting Kyrgyz migrants in Russia a special status, citing longstanding bilateral ties. However, the initiative met resistance in the Russian State Duma. Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, dismissed the proposal, noting that Kyrgyz citizens already enjoy considerable privileges under the EAEU framework, such as visa-free entry, the right to work without a permit, and exemption from patent requirements. “What additional special status could we be talking about? It is impractical. Kyrgyzstan is already in a more advantageous position than other Central Asian countries that are not members of the Union,” Zatulin said. Pushback also came from within Kyrgyzstan. Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov criticized both Sariyev's proposal and the broader outcomes of Kyrgyzstan's EAEU membership. In a post on X, Baisalov wrote: “Of course, our people have a special status, but not because of their participation in the 1941-1945 war. Special status should come from real membership in the EAEU, which hastily accepted us without sufficient guarantees. In reality, there is neither equal access to the labor market nor full access to our goods.” He urged Kyrgyz authorities not to appeal to “pity” or “sympathy,” but instead to demand the full implementation of EAEU commitments. As of now, Sariyev’s proposal has not been officially introduced. Analysts suggest that amid Russia’s sensitive migration and geopolitical climate, the initiative is unlikely to gain traction in the near term.

Migration

Kyrgyzstan Seeks to Expand Labor Quotas for Work in the UK

Seventeen thousand Kyrgyz citizens are expected to work in the United Kingdom this year under a state-sponsored employment program, according to Ulan Jusupov, Kyrgyzstan’s ambassador to the UK. Jusupov made the announcement during a session of the Jogorku Kenesh, the Kyrgyz parliament. Addressing lawmakers, the ambassador noted that the number of Kyrgyz nationals seeking employment in the UK continues to grow each year, driven by more favorable working conditions compared to those in other European countries and Russia, where nearly 90% of Kyrgyz migrant workers are currently employed. “In 2022, 4,500 of our citizens went to work in England. That number rose to 7,500 in 2023, and in 2024 it has increased to 10,000,” Jusupov said. The Times of Central Asia has previously reported on the challenges Kyrgyz labor migrants face in Europe, with many choosing to leave Russia due to frequent legal issues and labor disputes. As a result, an increasing number are turning to the Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad (CTHR) for assistance in securing work in alternative destinations. In 2022, CTHR signed a memorandum of cooperation with British recruitment company AGRI-HR to facilitate seasonal employment for Kyrgyz nationals in the UK. While AGRI-HR primarily focuses on jobs in the agricultural sector, CTHR also offers a range of vacancies in a range of other places, including Slovakia, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Russia. According to CTHR, other favorable countries for Kyrgyz workers include Germany, Italy, France, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. Most opportunities in these regions are in agriculture and related fields, and Kyrgyz citizens can legally work there under established programs. During the parliamentary session, members of the Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security, and Migration urged Jusupov to enhance the embassy’s efforts in safeguarding the rights and interests of Kyrgyz labor migrants in the UK. Lawmakers also called for an increase in labor quotas and requested that the embassy conduct educational outreach for prospective workers, informing them about British culture, labor ethics, and legal rights prior to their departure.