Migrant Workers - The Times Of Central Asia

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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...

Migrant Workers

More Than a Third of Migrant Workers in Kazakhstan Are Chinese Citizens

More than 35% of all foreign nationals officially working in Kazakhstan are Chinese citizens, according to data published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As of December 1, 2025, a total of 14,103 foreign citizens were employed in Kazakhstan under permits issued by local executive authorities. The largest group of labor migrants comprises Chinese nationals, 5,604 individuals, representing over 35% of the total. They are followed by citizens of Uzbekistan (2,110 people, about 15%), Turkey (1,036 people, over 7%), and India (943 people, more than 6%). Migrants from other countries make up roughly 35% of the foreign labor force, a proportion nearly equal to that of China. In 2025, the structure of permits for foreign labor included 537 issued to managers and their deputies (first category), and 2,244 to heads of structural divisions (second category). Most foreign workers fell into the third and fourth categories, specialists (3,784 people) and skilled workers (1,271 people). Additionally, 2,299 permits were granted for seasonal work, and 3,970 were issued as part of corporate transfers. The ministry reported that 1,817 employers in Kazakhstan currently utilize foreign labor. These companies also employ more than 334,000 Kazakhstani citizens, who make up about 96% of their total workforce. By sector, the highest number of foreign workers are employed in construction, 4,993 people, just over 35%. Other major sectors include agriculture, forestry, and fisheries (2,316 workers, 16.5%), mining and quarrying (1,235 workers, about 9%), and manufacturing (1,155 workers, approximately 8%). To safeguard the domestic labor market, Kazakhstan sets an annual quota for the employment of foreign workers. In 2025, the initial quota was 0.2% of the workforce, or 14,800 permits. This figure was raised to 16,500 in March at the request of regional authorities. In August, the quota was increased further to 0.25% or 19,400 permits, following the expansion of the list of professions eligible for seasonal foreign workers. It was later revised down to 16,700 permits, based on updated regional needs. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, more than 80,000 Russian citizens received residence permits to work in Kazakhstan between January 2023 and September 2024.

Migration Policy

Kazakhstan Drafts New Migration Policy Concept Through 2030

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection has developed a draft Concept of Migration Policy through 2030, aimed at fostering a more balanced approach to migration management while mitigating associated risks. The proposal is currently under government review. A central element of the draft is the enhancement of migration monitoring via the digital platform migration.enbek.kz. This platform will integrate data from multiple ministries to create a unified system for tracking internal, inbound, and outbound migration. The goal is to strengthen forecasting, analysis, and decision-making through improved access to real-time migration data. The policy also places significant emphasis on internal labor migration. Particular attention is given to internal relocants and, ethnic Kazakhs returning from abroad. The draft proposes annual regional quotas to incentivize resettlement in northern, eastern, and central regions of the country. These measures will be complemented by initiatives to boost rural incomes, support small businesses, and promote agricultural cooperatives. Officials believe this strategy will help redistribute labor resources and bolster regional demographic stability. On the external migration front, the concept outlines measures to protect the rights of Kazakhstani citizens working abroad, attract skilled foreign professionals and international students, and enhance support for returning Kazakhs. Proposed tools include bilateral labor agreements, expanded digital monitoring, and the development of specialized universities to aid in the educational and cultural integration of returnees. Internal migration remains one of the country's most pressing challenges, as major urban centers such as Almaty and Astana continue to attract young people from less developed regions, exacerbating regional disparities. The new policy aims to address these imbalances by providing targeted support for underpopulated areas.

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.