Labor Migration - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 27

U.S. Crime

Uzbekistan’s Consulate Urges Citizens to Follow U.S. Law After Cargo Theft Arrests

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan in New York has urged citizens of Uzbekistan in the United States to follow local laws after recent media reports linked several citizens of Uzbekistan and people of Uzbek origin to criminal investigations. In a statement posted on Telegram, the consulate said reports about alleged offenses involving citizens of Uzbekistan or people of Uzbek origin had appeared increasingly in the media and on social networks. The statement did not refer to a specific case, but it came shortly after U.S. authorities announced charges against an alleged multi-state cargo theft ring. The consulate called on citizens of Uzbekistan living, studying, working, or doing business in the U.S. to respect local laws, customs, and accepted standards of public behavior. “Any violation of the law carries personal responsibility,” the statement said, adding that unlawful actions by a small number of people can affect perceptions of the broader Uzbek community abroad. The consulate said most members of that community are law-abiding, work honestly, study, run businesses, and represent Uzbekistan with dignity. The diplomatic mission noted that the issue is particularly important during major international events and sports competitions, when public and media attention toward Uzbekistan and its citizens increases. The statement was issued as U.S. law enforcement agencies continued investigating a group accused of stealing nearly $5 million worth of commercial cargo. According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, eight defendants were indicted in connection with a scheme that allegedly targeted shipments in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey before the stolen goods were diverted to New York. Prosecutors allege the group operated between October 2025 and April 2026 and impersonated legitimate shipping carriers to obtain cargo from logistics sites. The stolen goods allegedly included lamb, cheese, beef, copper, and cigarettes. According to prosecutors, the defendants used fraudulently obtained shipment information from real carriers and brokers, leased trucks, and used false carrier identities to collect cargo. The stolen goods were then transported into and through New York City for sale on the black market. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said the alleged thefts included $165,000 worth of lamb, $432,000 worth of cheese, $295,000 worth of beef, more than $266,000 worth of copper, and more than $3.3 million worth of cigarettes. The New York Post reported that Murodullo “Murad” Khasanov, whom prosecutors identified as the alleged leader of the group, was arrested in New York and pleaded not guilty. The newspaper said prosecutors sought $1.5 million bail. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the alleged theft ring affected businesses and consumers and raised concerns about the use of online hacking in large-scale cargo theft. Prosecutors said the investigation remains ongoing. The consulate said it remains ready, within its authority, to provide citizens with consular and legal assistance. At the same time, it urged citizens to act responsibly and avoid behavior that could lead to legal consequences or harm the reputation of Uzbekistan and its citizens abroad. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Uzbekistan has also sought to expand...

Tajik migrants

Tajik Migrant in Russia Receives Nearly $15,000 in Unpaid Wages After Government Intervention

A Tajik labor migrant working in Russia has received nearly $15,000 in unpaid wages following an intervention by Tajikistan’s Ministry of Labor, Migration and Employment, the ministry said. According to the ministry’s representative office in Russia, the worker approached officials in May, alleging that a private Russian company had failed to pay his salary. The office then contacted the employer, which later settled the debt in full. The worker received 1.065 million rubles, or about $14,800, according to the ministry. The company was not named. The ministry urged Tajik citizens seeking employment in Russia to sign formal labor contracts and retain copies of the documents, saying the absence of written agreements often complicates efforts to recover unpaid wages and protect workers’ rights. Officials said migrants can also seek assistance from the ministry’s representative office in Russia on employment issues and labor disputes. Labor migration remains one of Tajikistan’s main sources of household income, with remittances sent home by migrants, most of them employed in Russia, supporting many families across the country. World Bank estimates show that remittance inflows reached 49% of Tajikistan’s GDP in 2024, up from 39% a year earlier. Tajik labor officials have said almost all citizens who leave Tajikistan for work go to Russia, making wage disputes there a direct concern for household income at home. The ministry said its representative office has previously helped Tajik migrants recover more than $3.4 million in unpaid wages from employers in Russia. In cases where employment relationships are not formally documented, the authorities often have to pursue claims through the courts, although most such cases are resolved in favor of workers, according to the ministry.

EAEU

As Armenia Looks West, Could Uzbekistan Move Closer to the EAEU?

Armenia’s increasingly uncertain future within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) appears to have entered a new phase. On May 29, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Belarus, Russia, and Kyrgyzstan issued a joint statement calling on Yerevan to clarify whether it intends to pursue deeper integration with the European Union or remain committed to the Eurasian bloc. The four leaders announced that members of the Eurasian Intergovernmental Council would present a report at the next meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in December 2026 outlining the possible consequences of suspending Armenia’s participation in the EAEU treaty framework. “We share the view that the Republic of Armenia should, within the shortest possible timeframe, hold a nationwide referendum on joining the European Union or continuing its membership in the Eurasian Economic Union,” the statement said. Speaking to journalists after the summit in Astana, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew parallels between Armenia’s current trajectory and the developments that preceded the crisis in Ukraine. “I have mentioned this before: the crisis in Ukraine began with attempts to join the EU,” Putin said. He added that significant differences between European and EAEU standards, particularly in agriculture and industry, make simultaneous participation in both integration projects difficult. “Combining the two is practically impossible,” Putin said. “Therefore, we would be forced to curtail much of our economic integration work with Armenia.” The following day, Russia recalled its ambassador to Armenia for consultations amid Yerevan’s growing engagement with the European Union. According to Russian political analyst Arkady Dubnov, the move was a clear diplomatic signal of Moscow’s dissatisfaction with the pro-European course pursued by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government and indicated a downgrading of bilateral relations. Dubnov also argued that Armenia’s representative at the Astana summit, Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan, avoided harsher criticism from Putin partly because of the position taken by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. “Kazakhstan itself signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union in 2020,” Dubnov noted, suggesting that arguments about Armenia’s European integration harming the EAEU are largely political rather than economic in nature. One recent poll appears to reinforce confidence within Armenia’s ruling camp. A survey conducted ahead of parliamentary elections indicates that Pashinyan’s Civil Contract party could secure nearly 65% of decided voters, positioning it for a convincing victory and a substantial parliamentary majority. Against that backdrop, Moscow’s pressure on Yerevan may be less about influencing the outcome of Armenia’s elections than about preparing for a longer-term strategic realignment. Supporters of Pashinyan increasingly associate his political project with closer ties to Europe, a perception reinforced not only by European leaders but also by U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently expressed support for Pashinyan’s re-election campaign. For his part, Pashinyan appears focused on a broader regional recalibration. Speaking via Facebook Live on May 31, he emphasized the importance of normalizing relations with neighboring states. “I am convinced that we will achieve the goal of normalizing relations with Azerbaijan and Türkiye,” he said. “This means that a balanced and balancing...

Labor Migration

Kazakhstan Prepares New Visa System for Migrant Workers and Investors

Kazakhstan is preparing to introduce a differentiated visa system for foreign workers and investors as authorities seek to attract highly skilled specialists while tightening oversight of labor migration. The new migration model was presented by Yerbol Tuyakbayev, first vice minister of labor and social protection during a roundtable discussion at the Center for Labor Resources Development. According to Tuyakbayev, the government plans to divide foreign nationals coming to Kazakhstan for work into four categories: business immigrants, highly qualified specialists, mid-level skilled workers, and labor migrants hired by private households for domestic work. “Each category will have a separate visa regime based on the purpose of entry, qualification level, and duration of stay,” Tuyakbayev said. A central element of the reform will be the possibility of transitioning from a temporary work or investment visa to long-term resident status. According to officials, holders of such status would gain access to a range of rights and services similar to those available to citizens of Kazakhstan, including tax incentives, financial services, healthcare, and education. Authorities also plan to simplify administrative procedures for foreigners, reduce application processing times, and introduce a “single-window” system. As part of the reform, Kazakhstan plans to launch the QazETA digital platform, which will include an e-Residency module and a separate e-Residency Invest program. The new system will also include the Altyn Visa, or “Golden Visa,” program, aimed at investors, entrepreneurs, and highly qualified specialists. The government expects the initiative to become one of the key tools of Kazakhstan’s new migration policy and to help retain both international talent and investment capital. The Altyn Visa program is expected to launch before the end of 2026. Experts say Kazakhstan is attempting to strengthen its position in the competition for global talent amid worldwide shortages of qualified labor and growing migration mobility across Eurasia. Anna Alshanskaya, head of economic policy analysis at the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, said the country has the potential to take a “proactive position” as a regional hub for attracting specialists. The initiative has also received support from the International Organization for Migration. Aliya Belonosova, acting head of the organization’s mission in Kazakhstan, said the new system would create additional opportunities not only for attracting international specialists and investment, but also for preparing Kazakhstan’s youth for the labor market of the future. The migration reform comes amid growing demand for foreign labor in Kazakhstan. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Chinese citizens currently make up the largest group of migrant workers in the country.

Labor Migration

Center for Legal and Safe Labor Migration Opens in Bishkek

Kyrgyzstan’s second Resource Center for Migrants opened in the capital, Bishkek, on May 22. The new center is intended to expand citizens’ access to reliable information on safe, organized, and legal labor migration, as well as raise public awareness of the risks of illegal migration, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation. The center was established under the EU-funded PROTECT project, a regional initiative implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development in Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Migrant resource centers are intended to serve as first points of contact for people considering employment abroad, particularly those who may otherwise rely on informal recruiters or unverified online information. Such centers typically provide advice on legal migration pathways, employment procedures, documentation, workers’ rights, and the risks associated with irregular migration. According to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, the Resource Center in Bishkek will conduct outreach activities, organize pre-departure orientation sessions for potential migrants, providing training on safe labor migration. The first Resource Center for Migrants in Kyrgyzstan opened in Osh, the country’s second-largest city, in March 2024. Since then, the center has provided assistance to more than 21,000 people through consultations, information events, and job fairs. The opening of the Bishkek center comes as labor migration continues to play a major role in Kyrgyzstan’s economy. Remittances help support household incomes, particularly in regions where local employment opportunities remain limited. However, dependence on foreign labor markets also leaves migrants vulnerable to rule changes, currency fluctuations, and exploitation by intermediaries. In 2025, remittances to Kyrgyzstan totaled $3.49 billion, according to the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic. The vast majority, $3.29 billion, came from the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), while $198 million came from countries outside the CIS. Kyrgyzstan is working to diversify its labor migration destinations. Russia has long been the main destination for Kyrgyz labor migrants, although Bishkek has sought in recent years to expand legal employment channels to other countries, including Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and several European countries.

Labor Migration

Uzbekistan Expands U.S. Labor Migration Talks in New York

A delegation from Uzbekistan held a series of meetings with international organizations, educational institutions, employers, and law firms during the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in New York, as Tashkent seeks to expand legal labor migration opportunities in the United States. According to Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, the delegation included officials from the agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Uzbekistan’s embassy in Washington. The push comes as labor migration remains a major part of Uzbekistan’s economy. The Central Bank of Uzbekistan said remittance inflows reached high levels in 2025, with $9.9 billion arriving through traditional money transfer systems and another $8.6 billion credited directly to bank cards through P2P transfers. That scale has made overseas employment both a household income issue and a policy priority for Tashkent. The forum opened with remarks by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Amy Pope, director general of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), who outlined priorities for global migration policy and international cooperation. During the event, Behzod Musayev, the head of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, presented information on migration reforms underway in Uzbekistan, including vocational and language training programs designed to prepare citizens for overseas employment. Musayev said labor migration should be viewed as an economic necessity and an investment in human capital. The delegation also met with Ugochi Daniels, IOM’s deputy director general for operations, to discuss protecting the rights of citizens of Uzbekistan working abroad and organizational issues related to an international migration forum scheduled to be held in Tashkent. Several meetings focused on expanding cooperation with U.S. educational institutions and employers. Uzbekistan signed a cooperation agreement with Logan University in Missouri on training medical personnel for the U.S. labor market, launching joint educational programs, and developing human resources. Representatives of Missouri Trucking School discussed creating a 160-hour training program to prepare drivers from Uzbekistan according to U.S. standards and support their employment opportunities. Talks with the National Council of Agricultural Employers focused on organizing labor forums with employers and expanding seasonal work programs for citizens of Uzbekistan. The delegation also reached agreements with the recruitment organization Head Honchos on H-2A visa processing, promoting agricultural workers from Uzbekistan in the U.S., and launching preparatory programs lasting eight to ten weeks. In meetings with the New York-based law firm Ballon Stoll, officials discussed work opportunities through O, H-2A, H-2B, H-1B, and E visas, as well as stronger legal protections for citizens of Uzbekistan employed in the U.S. The U.S. route is still at an early stage and will depend on American visa rules and employer demand. Under U.S. regulations, H-2A and H-2B petitions are generally limited to nationals of countries designated by the Department of Homeland Security, though USCIS can approve petitions for workers from non-designated countries on a case-by-case basis if it determines that doing so is in the U.S. interest. The discussions follow statements made earlier this year by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who instructed Uzbekistan’s diplomats to begin talks with Washington on including the country in U.S. seasonal labor recruitment programs. The...