Kazakhstan’s Labor Migration Market: Balancing Interests Amid Rising Violations

Analysts at Finprom.kz have released a new overview of labor migration trends in Kazakhstan. According to the report, as of May 1, 2025, 14,300 foreign citizens were officially employed in the country, a 4% increase compared to the same period last year. Origins and Occupations The majority of migrant workers come from China, with 5,100 individuals, a 24.5% year-on-year increase. They are followed by workers from Uzbekistan (1,900), Turkey (1,100), and India (1,100). Foreign workers are primarily employed in construction, which accounts for 5,000 people, a 19.1% increase from the previous year. Other major sectors include agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (2,300 workers), and mining and manufacturing (1,300 workers in each). The most common job categories for foreign workers include specialists (4,400), heads of structural divisions (2,400), seasonal workers (2,300), skilled laborers (1,000), and intra-company transferees (3,600). Despite overall growth, the number of foreign specialists has declined by 21.5% compared to last year. The number of foreign nationals in management roles remains largely unchanged at 567, compared to 564 last year. Quotas, Oversight, and Violations The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan sets annual quotas for hiring foreign labor. In 2024, the quota was capped at 22,000 workers, equivalent to 0.23% of the national workforce. However, violations related to labor migration are on the rise. Between January and May 2025, authorities recorded 1,600 administrative offenses, an increase of 10.1% compared to the same period in 2024. The highest number of violations occurred in the Karaganda region (224), followed by Astana (141), Shymkent (136), Almaty (110), and the Turkestan region (99). Those held administratively responsible included 238 individual entrepreneurs and 19 government officials. Authorities also fined 106 foreign nationals for breaches of migration laws. Total fines amounted to KZT 157.1 million ($303,000), up 22.6% from KZT 128.2 million a year earlier. Of this amount, KZT 130 million (82.7%) has already been collected.

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.