Migrant Workers - The Times Of Central Asia

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Labor Migration

Private Employment Agencies Expand Overseas Recruitment of Kyrgyz Migrants

Private recruitment agencies that arrange overseas employment for Kyrgyz citizens contributed about $230,000 in tax payments to the state budget last year, according to data published on the Open Budget portal. At the same time, some migrants say that working conditions abroad do not always match the promises made by intermediaries. Kyrgyz media report that 159 companies in the country currently hold official licences to facilitate employment abroad. While Russia remains the main destination for labor migration, interest in jobs in Europe and Southeast Asia has increased in recent years. Kyrgyz citizens can seek employment abroad through the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, which has intergovernmental agreements with several countries, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Slovakia, and South Korea. However, many migrants continue to use private agencies, citing faster processing times and a broader choice of destinations. According to official information, licensed companies offer employment opportunities in 26 countries, with the largest number of permits issued for sending workers to Bulgaria, Turkey, Russia, Germany, and the Baltic states. Migrant experience One Kyrgyz migrant, Nurbek Nogoibayev, said he decided to seek work in Europe for the first time after previously working in Kazakhstan and participating in a Work and Travel programme in the United States. A welder by profession, he said a Bishkek-based agency offered him a factory job in Kaunas, Lithuania. “They promised inexpensive housing, a two-year residence permit, and stable work. I had an interview via WhatsApp, and since I speak English and Russian and have experience, they quickly accepted me,” he told The Times of Central Asia. After completing paperwork, obtaining a visa, and paying for travel, he arrived in Lithuania three months later. According to Nogoibayev, the contract signed in Bishkek specified a salary of €5.5 per hour with the possibility of gradual increases. However, he said he was asked to sign a new contract with different conditions upon arrival. He also reported higher housing costs than initially promised and changes to his working schedule, including a six-day work week and mandatory night shifts without additional compensation. When he contacted the agency in Bishkek, he said he was told it could not assist further. Nogoibayev added that he cannot easily change jobs. According to his understanding of local regulations, foreign workers are required to remain with their first employer for a certain period before switching employment, or risk losing their residence permit. He also said that leaving earlier could result in financial penalties. “I would like to work overtime to earn more, but that is not possible,” he said. Calls for oversight Cases such as this have prompted discussion about the need for stronger oversight of private recruitment agencies and improved protection of Kyrgyz citizens working abroad. Observers note that while overseas employment provides an important source of income for many households, disputes over contracts and working conditions remain a recurring concern.

Migration Policy

Kazakhstan to Focus on Skilled Migrants in New Migration Policy

Kazakhstan is shifting toward a more pragmatic migration policy aligned with the needs of the national economy. The government’s newly approved Migration Policy Concept through 2030 prioritizes attracting in-demand highly skilled professionals and encouraging internal migration to regions experiencing labor shortages. According to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the number of foreign labor migrants in Kazakhstan reached 16,100 in 2025. Minister of Labor Askarbek Yertayev said that greater emphasis will be placed on assessing the professional qualifications of foreign workers. Priority will be given to specialists with relevant education, work experience, and competencies sought in the domestic labor market. By 2030, the share of skilled workers among labor migrants is expected to increase to 95%. To support these objectives, the ministry has launched a pilot project on the digital platform migration Enbek.kz. The initiative introduces a comprehensive scoring system to evaluate applicants when issuing permanent residence permits and granting kandas status, a designation for ethnic Kazakhs returning to their historical homeland. A draft law has also been prepared that includes revising fees for hiring foreign labor, tightening regulation of private employment agencies, and formally integrating the digital scoring mechanism into migration decision-making processes. The quota for attracting foreign workers in 2026 has been set at 0.25% of the total national workforce, according to official data. The main countries of origin for officially employed foreign nationals remain China, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and India. At the same time, the government is strengthening measures to manage internal migration. In 2025, 14.7% of participants in state-supported interregional resettlement programs relocated to northern regions of the country. Major cities such as Almaty and Astana continue to attract young people from less economically developed regions, exacerbating territorial imbalances.

Uzbek Diaspora

Uzbek Janitor Saves 7-Year-Old Boy from Apartment Fall in St. Petersburg

A janitor from Uzbekistan saved a seven-year-old boy who fell from a seventh-floor window in St. Petersburg, according to the news outlet ExpressAsia. The incident occurred on Petrozavodskaya Street, where the child was seen standing on the ledge outside an open window. Neighbors shouted, urging him to return indoors, but he did not respond. Moments later, the boy lost his balance, slipped from the partition, and fell. At the time, a janitor identified as Khayrullo, a native of Uzbekistan, was working near the building. He was the first to notice the open window and the child playing near it. The man called out to the boy and, realizing that the child was climbing further outside and risked falling, moved closer to the building. As the boy fell headfirst, Khayrullo managed to catch him midair. Holding the child tightly against his body, he absorbed much of the impact. He then carried the boy into the building entrance and attempted to provide assistance while neighbors called an ambulance. The child survived and is currently in intensive care. Doctors have described his condition as stable. Khayrullo sustained bruises but did not suffer serious injuries. The building’s management company stated that he has been employed there for only a few months. ExpressAsia highlighted that the incident could have ended in tragedy without the janitor’s quick reaction. The outlet has previously reported similar incidents involving Central Asian migrants in Russia. In one recent case in Moscow, a taxi driver originally from Kyrgyzstan noticed a car speeding toward a pedestrian crossing where children were present. With little time to react, he opened his car door to draw the driver’s attention and prompt him to slow down. The maneuver helped prevent a possible collision, and no injuries were reported.

Labor Migration

Tajikistan Seeks to Expand the Geography of Labor Migration

Tajikistan has stepped up efforts to expand destinations for labor migration, including countries in Europe and East Asia. The announcement was made by Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment Soleha Kholmahmadzoda at a press conference summarizing the ministry’s work in 2025. According to the Kholmahmadzoda, a memorandum of cooperation with relevant agencies of the Kingdom of Belgium was signed in November last year and is currently undergoing internal approval procedures. The agreement provides for the possibility of organized employment for Tajik citizens in the Benelux countries, namely Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The most in-demand sectors include agriculture, construction, social services, and healthcare. The Ministry of Labor said the initiative is intended to create transparent and legal employment channels, enhancing protection for migrant workers and reducing the risks associated with illegal employment. Cooperation with Japan is also advancing. The ministry has established a special working group and developed a mechanism to attract Tajik citizens as “specially qualified” workers. Relevant documents have been sent to the Tajik Embassy in Japan for publication on the website of the Japan International Training Cooperation Organization (JITCO). In addition, the Agency for Employment Abroad has prepared a draft agreement with Japanese employers. As a result, the first 10 citizens of the republic have already secured jobs. Special attention is also being given to cooperation with South Korea. In 2025, the Korean side allocated 800 quotas for labor migrants from Tajikistan. After completing professional training and passing the EPS-TOPIK exam, 21 people were employed through the Korean job portal, while documentation is still being processed for 12 additional candidates. Despite the expansion of destinations, Russia remains the primary labor market for Tajik citizens. According to the Ministry of Labor, in 2025, 30 licensed entities sent 35,747 citizens abroad through organized channels, an increase of 18,805 compared with the previous year. Of these, more than 31,000 were employed in Russia, Deputy Minister of Labor, Migration and Employment Norzoda Sharif Sanginmurod said. These figures broadly correspond with estimates from the Russian side. Official data indicate that more than 1 million Tajik citizens are currently working in Russia, mainly in construction, housing and utilities, transport, and logistics.

Labor Migration

Uzbekistan Seeks Talks With U.S. on Seasonal Work Program

Uzbekistan will seek talks with the United States on allowing its citizens to work as seasonal laborers, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced at a recent foreign policy meeting. According to the president’s press secretary, Mirziyoyev noted that the U.S. government had simplified procedures last year for obtaining special visas for agricultural workers. He directed Uzbekistan’s ambassador in Washington to initiate talks aimed at securing Uzbekistan’s inclusion on the U.S. list of countries whose citizens can be recruited for seasonal employment. The initiative aims to expand access to legal, well-paid jobs for Uzbek citizens working abroad. The president said regional governors will now be required to build direct ties with developed countries and regions that actively recruit foreign labor. Mirziyoyev also tasked ambassadors with assuming a more active role in identifying high-income employment opportunities overseas. They are to assist in preparing citizens for these roles through vocational training and language instruction. He stressed the importance of signing bilateral labor migration agreements with countries including Japan, Sweden, Norway, Bulgaria, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, Greece, and Oman. The president again expressed concern over the number of Uzbek citizens residing abroad illegally. He cited last year’s migration amnesty in Russia, which benefited more than 150,000 Uzbek nationals, and instructed officials to intensify negotiations with other countries to help citizens secure legal employment. At the same time, he underscored the responsibility of migrants to comply with local laws. Supporting Uzbek labor migrants in countries with rising migration flows, particularly in Europe, will become a key responsibility for consular staff. Mirziyoyev also called for simpler registration procedures and fewer bureaucratic hurdles. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that the U.S. State Department plans to suspend the issuance of immigrant visas for citizens of Uzbekistan and 74 other countries starting January 21, adding urgency to Tashkent’s pursuit of alternative legal migration pathways.

Migrant Workers

Uzbek Migrants Face Growing Risks in Russia as Tashkent Seeks Probe Into Alleged Abuse

Russian security forces reportedly carried out a raid on a café in Khabarovsk in mid-December 2025, during which several Central Asian migrants were allegedly beaten. According to information circulated on social media, two Uzbek citizens fell into a coma following the incident, and one of them subsequently died. On January 2, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it had sent a diplomatic note to Russia requesting an impartial and lawful investigation. The ministry also said steps were being taken to repatriate the deceased’s body. However, it noted that the cause of death has not been officially confirmed, and reports of a second Uzbek in a coma remain unverified. In response to the incident, Alisher Qodirov, member of parliament and leader of the Milliy Tiklanish (National Revival) Democratic Party, issued a stark warning to Uzbek migrants in Russia. “Believe me, the situation will only get worse month by month,” Qodirov wrote on Telegram. “Russian security services see Central Asians as potential participants in future unrest, and they have already given up on any benefit migrants may bring... Use your common sense and leave Russia as soon as possible,” he added. “No income is worth the tears of your parents and children.” As Russia’s war against Ukraine enters its fourth year, labor migrants remain among the most vulnerable and least protected groups affected by the conflict. Central Asian nationals, particularly Uzbeks, face increasing risks of coercion, legal jeopardy, and systemic abuse. By July 2025, at least 902 Uzbek citizens were reported to have been recruited by Russia to fight in Ukraine. Independent monitors believe the true figure is considerably higher. In October 2025, the ‘I want to live’ project identified 2,715 Uzbek nationals who had participated in the conflict, including those recruited illegally, those who signed contracts, and ethnic Uzbeks already serving in the Russian military. Despite this, Russia remains heavily reliant on migrant labor. As of September 1, 2024, nearly four million citizens from Central Asia were living in Russia. Of these, 1.79 million were from Uzbekistan, followed by significant numbers from Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan. For Uzbekistan, the economic implications of growing pressure on migrants are profound. Remittances remain a cornerstone of the national economy. In the first half of 2025 alone, Uzbekistan received $8.2 billion in cross-border transfers, with 78% originating from Russia. Amid rising xenophobia and labor restrictions, economists warn that this dependence could have severe long-term consequences. Economist Abdulla Abdukadirov, Doctor of Economic Sciences, said total remittances by year-end are expected to approach $20 billion. “This is an extremely large sum,” Abdukadirov said at an offline session of the Fikrat analytical program, responding to a question from The Times of Central Asia. “If the state budget is around $28 billion, then nearly $20 billion in remittances reveals how dependent our economy is becoming on external sources.” Abdukadirov warned that Uzbekistan is developing a dangerous structural dependency. “First, we’re becoming more reliant on external investments and borrowing,” he said. “Second, our dependence on cross-border remittances is deepening.” According...