Migrant Workers - The Times Of Central Asia

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Politics

Ashgabat Police Intensify Crackdown on Internal Migrants Ahead of Neutrality Day

Security forces in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat have stepped up operations targeting visitors from other regions in the lead-up to the country’s 30th anniversary of neutrality. Witnesses report harsh interrogations at checkpoints, physical abuse, ethnic slurs, and widespread raids in areas where day laborers gather. Systematic Interrogations and Raids Recent media reports highlighting police crackdowns on non-resident workers appear to represent only a fraction of a broader campaign against internal migrants. According to residents, anyone arriving in Ashgabat now faces multi-stage inspections at all major entry points, including from the Gokdepe, Dashoguz, Mary, and Lebap regions. Checkpoint officers question travelers in detail, asking where they are going, who they are visiting, the length of their stay, and their purpose. Those suspected of seeking work are often forced to return to their regions of origin. Within Ashgabat, authorities continue searches at the Gurtly bus station and expand checks to markets, construction sites, and agricultural outlets, any location where day laborers might be found. The raids extend to suburban areas, including the city of Arkadag. Ethnic Discrimination and Unofficial Policies Longstanding unofficial policies appear to disproportionately affect ethnic Uzbeks. Residents of Dashoguz and Lebap regions report that career advancement in government is often limited for Uzbeks, with many being encouraged to change their names from childhood to improve their prospects. Even in districts where Uzbeks form the majority, leadership roles are predominantly held by ethnic Turkmen. According to Turkmen.news, the surge in pressure on non-residents coincides with preparations for high-profile events. In the summer, similar measures were observed in the resort town of Avaza before a United Nations forum. Now, authorities appear focused on “cleaning up” Ashgabat and Arkadag ahead of Neutrality Day. Eyewitnesses believe the government aims to present an idealized image of the capital as Turkmenistan prepares to mark 30 years of neutrality. Gurbanguly Berdymuhamedov, the previous president and current Chairman of the country's People's Council, is reportedly placing significant emphasis on the celebrations. High-ranking international delegations are expected to attend. Institutionalized Control Since 2022 The origins of the current policy trace back to January 2022, when Berdymuhamedov, during a Security Council meeting, directed the head of the migration service, Nazar Atagaraev, to increase controls on internal movement. Since then, raids have become routine, with enforcement intensifying ahead of state events.

Labor Migration

Kazakhstan Labor Migration Report Shows Most Citizens Working in Russia

The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has released updated data on the number of Kazakh citizens working abroad. According to the ministry, 126,000 citizens are currently employed outside the country, which has a population of more than 20 million. The vast majority, over 80%, have found work in neighboring Russia. The figures were shared by First Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Askarbek Yertayev during a briefing with journalists on the sidelines of a Senate meeting. Of the 126,000 citizens working abroad, 102,000 are employed in Russia, 15,000 in South Korea, and approximately 2,000 in the United Kingdom and European Union member states. Yertayev noted that Kazakhstan has yet to finalize bilateral labor agreements with all countries where its citizens are working. “In particular, an agreement with South Korea is still under discussion, we have been negotiating for two years. Talks were paused due to the domestic political situation there,” Yertayev said, referring to the ongoing standoff between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and the country’s parliament. “Negotiations resumed this fall, and we plan to continue them, as 11,000 of the 15,000 Kazakh citizens in South Korea are working illegally. Measures must be taken, but the Korean side has several conditions, including that Kazakhstan address the issue of its undocumented migrants,” he added. Seoul has requested a “road map” from Kazakhstan to address the problem of illegal labor migration. The document is expected to include mechanisms to prevent undocumented employment. Yertayev expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached before the end of the year. He noted that legal employment in South Korea would allow Kazakh workers to access higher wages and social protections, including healthcare and insurance. “Currently, our citizens in South Korea who are working illegally cannot even send their earnings back home: banks refuse to process the transfers, forcing them to rely on informal channels, which often leads to fraud,” the deputy minister said. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakh authorities have also intensified domestic efforts to formalize the labor market by cracking down on employers who pay “gray” wages, off-the-books income that evades taxes and social contributions.

Migration

EU Opens First Migrant Resource Center in Uzbekistan as Russia Moves to Tighten Control

The European Union has launched Uzbekistan’s first Migrant Resource Center in Tashkent, while Russia is preparing to roll out a mobile application to monitor foreign workers starting September 1. Migrant Resource Center in Tashkent The EU Delegation in Uzbekistan announced that the centre opened on August 26 as part of the EU-funded PROTECT program: Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in Selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries. The initiative is implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) in partnership with Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency. The Center will provide information on legal employment opportunities abroad, raise awareness about the risks of irregular migration, and support the reintegration of returning migrants. Similar centers already operate in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. At the opening ceremony, EU Ambassador Toivo Klaar said the centers “play a crucial role in providing people with the information they need to make informed decisions about migration.” ICMPD Deputy Director General Sedef Dearing added that the new facility will be “practical and timely for those considering migrating and returning.” Russia’s Mobile Application for Migrants Meanwhile, Russia will begin testing a new digital monitoring system in Moscow and the Moscow region on September 1, according to the Multifunctional Migration Centre in the Russian town of Sakharovo. Citizens from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Ukraine will be required to install a mobile application called Amina. The app will handle residence registration, address updates, work permit payments, and appointment scheduling. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will also have access to users’ geolocation data. Migrants who fail to confirm their location within three working days risk being removed from the registration system and placed on a monitoring list. Migration Management in Focus The launch of the EU-backed center in Tashkent reflects Europe’s emphasis on support services and informed choice for migrants, while Russia’s mobile app signals a shift toward stricter surveillance and control. Together, these measures highlight the growing importance of migration management across Central Asia and Eurasia.

Economic Growth

World Bank Warns of Slowing Tajikistan Economy

Tajikistan’s economic growth may slow in the coming years due to mounting foreign policy and regional risks, according to a new report from the World Bank. Vulnerability to External Shocks The report highlights several external vulnerabilities that could impact Tajikistan’s economy. These include shifts in Russia’s migration policies, heightened global instability, and ongoing armed conflicts. “Tighter migration policies and restrictions on Tajik workers in Russia threaten to significantly reduce remittance flows, leading to lower economic growth, increased poverty, and worsening fiscal and external balances,” the World Bank stated. Growing global protectionism is also expected to raise Tajikistan’s foreign trade costs. The report notes that recent U.S. tariff increases on imports from several of Dushanbe’s key trading partners have triggered retaliatory measures from countries like China. These developments could drive up import costs and intensify logistical pressures. Additionally, volatility in global commodity prices is expected to impact Tajik exports. While falling oil and raw material prices could reduce export earnings, especially for aluminum, zinc, and ores, high global gold prices in 2025 may provide a partial offset through increased revenues. Impact of Regional Conflicts The World Bank also warns that ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East could further disrupt global supply chains, raising energy and logistics costs. These challenges would translate into higher import prices for Tajikistan. Conversely, the report suggests that a potential easing of sanctions and normalization of relations between the U.S. and Russia could destabilize Central Asian economies. However, the implications of such a shift remain uncertain and difficult to forecast. Medium-Term Outlook Despite these headwinds, the World Bank expects Tajikistan’s economy to remain stable, albeit with a decelerating growth trajectory: 8.4% in 2024 7.0% in 2025 4.9% in 2026 4.7% in 2027 The projected slowdown is gradual and not expected to result in a recession. Similar concerns have been echoed by other institutions. The Asian Development Bank and the Eurasian Fund for Stabilization and Development have also forecast a gradual slowdown in Tajikistan’s economic growth over the medium term.

Migration

Japanese Language Courses Launched to Support Kyrgyz Labor Migration to Japan

On August 8, the Center for Pre-Departure Orientation and Reintegration of Migrants in Bishkek officially launched an intensive Japanese language course aimed at improving the employability of Kyrgyz job seekers in Japan. The course is a joint initiative of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration’s Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad and the Japan Association for Construction Human Resources (JAC). The program is part of ongoing efforts to develop Japan as a new destination for Kyrgyz labor migration, diversifying the country’s overseas employment market. This collaboration follows the signing of a memorandum of cooperation on labor migration between Kyrgyzstan and Japan. The first group of students was 30 mainly young participants from across Kyrgyzstan. Expanding Employment Pathways Kyrgyzstan is deepening labor migration ties with Japan as part of a broader strategy to create safe, legal, and skills-based employment opportunities for its citizens abroad. The Ministry’s Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad is working with JAC, which facilitates the recruitment of specified skilled workers for Japan’s construction industry. Both sides have also discussed plans to establish a specialized training center in Kyrgyzstan to prepare construction professionals according to Japanese industry standards. While Russia remains the main destination for Kyrgyz labor migrants, recent years have seen growing interest in alternative destinations, including Turkey, South Korea, Japan, and several European countries.

Labor migrants

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.