Migrant Workers - The Times Of Central Asia

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Migration

Uzbekistan to Send 7,000 Workers to Russia Under New Agreements

Uzbekistan and Russia have agreed to establish a new system for regulating labor migration. The decision was reached during a meeting in Moscow between the director of Uzbekistan’s Migration Agency, Behzod Musayev, and the head of Russia’s Federal Agency for Labor and Employment, Mikhail Ivankov. A key component of the agreement is the creation of specialized training centers in Uzbekistan to prepare citizens for employment in Russia. These centers will provide essential skills and qualifications to facilitate the transition for Uzbek labor migrants. Additionally, Uzbek workers will now be able to take a required Russian language exam in Tashkent before traveling to Russia. The exam, which is necessary for obtaining a work permit, will be administered at the Tashkent branch of the Sakharov Multifunctional Migration Center. To simplify employment procedures, Uzbekistan has signed agreements with several major Russian companies, including Ant Yapi, Ozon Community, PEK, and SPAR Middle Volga. Under these agreements, 7,000 Uzbek citizens will be provided with official employment in Russia. The Migration Agency has reviewed working conditions and salaries, and candidate selection will take place across Uzbekistan in February. Meanwhile, Russia is tightening immigration regulations, potentially affecting millions of Central Asian migrants. A proposed law from the Russian Ministry of Education would require migrant children to pass a Russian language test. Those who fail must enroll in a three-month language program at their parents’ expense. Families that do not comply may face investigations and administrative penalties. As of September 1, 2024, nearly four million Central Asian migrants were officially residing in Russia. Amid increasing restrictions, challenges for migrant workers continue to mount. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that some Central Asian migrants have signed contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense to participate in the war in Ukraine, primarily for financial reasons. However, economic hardship is not the only factor driving recruitment. Central Asians with Russian citizenship have also faced threats of imprisonment if they refuse to fight. Separately, Ukraine has reported that approximately 30 Central Asian citizens have been taken prisoner since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. Ukrainian Justice Minister Olha Stefanishyna disclosed this information in response to an inquiry from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Novosti Priazovya project. However, their current status remains unclear. According to Ukraine’s Justice Ministry, prisoner nationality is often determined based on personal statements, as many detainees lack documents confirming their citizenship. The ministry emphasized that all prisoners of war, regardless of nationality, are granted the same legal status under both international and national law.

Migrant Workers

Half a World Away: Central Asian Workers on British Farms

Few countries have more patriotic supermarkets than Britain. Whether it’s a sortie through the sausage section, or browsing the fruit aisle, customers are almost guaranteed to be confronted with the red, white and blue of the Union Jack. In a country not famed for its food, it’s perhaps strange to see the national flag given such prominence. The practice is far less common in continental Europe. Nevertheless, over the past decade there has been a push, propelled by an odd alliance of environmentalists and nationalists, to source homegrown food. Retailers have cottoned onto this and seem glad to leave the customer with the warm, bucolic feeling that they have aided embattled farmers, reduced their carbon footprint, and even helped to correct the country’s balance of payments deficit by buying British. “Supermarkets get more than just the profit margin for the [British] fruit they sell,” says Dr Lydia Medland, a research fellow at Bristol University. “We call it farmwashing: they get publicity, they get kudos; they use this ripe, fresh, local image to sell more products.” There’s only one snag. The people who pick the fruit and vegetables which are then packaged up with British flags, are not exactly local. [caption id="attachment_28497" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] British flags adorn food packaging in the country's supermarkets.Images: Yvonne Mould (left); Elke Morgan (center and right)[/caption] Central Asia and Britain: An Unlikely Match Seasonal workers have been traveling to the island of Britain for over a hundred years. In the nineteenth century, farmers would travel across the Irish Sea to help bring in the harvest. However, in the late 1990s, the number of people arriving on seasonal visas began to rise significantly. This was followed in the 2000s by a spike in workers from Europe, taking advantage of visa-free access to Britain’s labor market under the auspices of the European Union. They served as a pool of flexible, cheap workers for a farming industry that was being increasingly squeezed by the buying power of the country’s major supermarket chains. When Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016, the farming industry panicked at the prospect of losing much of this cut-price labor force. They successfully lobbied the government to relaunch the Seasonal Worker Visa program on a trial basis. Originally designed in the 1940s for European students, the scheme was repackaged to empower private recruitment agencies to hire workers from across the world to work in the fields for six months a year. When the visa debuted in 2018, 2,500 people came. By 2021 – the year that freedom of movement between Britain and the EU officially ended – the government had already raised the quota to 30,000. At the other end of Europe, the collapse in the value of the Russian Ruble since the start of 2023, combined with a crackdown on foreign laborers, has seen a mass exodus of Central Asians from Russia. By October 2024, there were around 30% fewer migrants in the country than there were on the eve of the Covid-19...

Bilateral Relations

Slovakia Opens Job Opportunities for Kyrgyz Bus Drivers

The Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad, operating under the Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan, has begun registering candidates for bus driver positions in Slovakia. The Center has signed an agreement with INDEX NOSLUS s.r.o., a Slovak company specializing in human resources management and international recruitment. “This agreement aims to strengthen bilateral ties in labor migration and create reliable conditions for Kyrgyz citizens working in Slovakia,” the Employment Center stated. Kyrgyz authorities believe the partnership will significantly increase the number of legal employment opportunities for Kyrgyz workers while ensuring transparent hiring conditions and social security protections. Plans include the development of joint programs for recruitment, training, and worker support. As part of the current recruitment process, the Employment Center will invite 50 candidates, from which 15 will be selected to work for a Slovak transportation company. Applicants must be Kyrgyz citizens between 22 and 50 years old, have experience in passenger transport, and possess a clean criminal record and no chronic illnesses. According to Slovak employment terms, workers will be paid €7.40 per hour, resulting in an average net monthly income of approximately €1,200. The Kyrgyz authorities guarantee official employment registration and social protections for those hired. Six months ago, Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh, Nurlanbek Shakiev, met with Kyrgyz labor migrants in Slovakia during an official visit. According to Shakiev, an estimated 4,000 Kyrgyz citizens are currently employed in Slovakia. Kyrgyz officials are also considering the opening of an embassy in Slovakia to support and protect the interests of Kyrgyz nationals working there. In addition to Slovakia, the United Kingdom and Italy have also signed official agreements with Kyrgyzstan for seasonal employment programs. Today, tens of thousands of Kyrgyz workers are employed in these countries.

Migrant Workers

More Kyrgyz Labor Migrants Head to the UK

The number of Kyrgyz citizens working as seasonal agricultural laborers in the UK has continued to rise, reaching 8,131 in 2024, up from 5,200 in 2023 and 1,492 in 2022. These figures were announced by Kyrgyzstan’s Minister of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, Ravshanbek Sabirov, during a January 28 meeting with the British Ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Nicholas Bowler. Expanding Labor Migration Cooperation The meeting focused on Kyrgyz-British cooperation in labor migration. Minister Sabirov requested the ambassador’s assistance in increasing the quota for Kyrgyz seasonal workers and reducing additional fees associated with British visa applications. Ambassador Bowler acknowledged the discipline and reliability of Kyrgyz migrant workers, noting that they return home in the same numbers as they arrive, complying with UK immigration laws. Economic Impact and Employment Conditions According to Minister Sabirov, remittances from Kyrgyz workers in Britain’s agricultural sector are expected to exceed $100 million. He emphasized that even with a relatively small workforce, these remittances significantly contribute to Kyrgyzstan’s economic growth. The Kyrgyz Ministry of Labor’s Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad, which oversees seasonal labor placements in the UK, reports that Kyrgyz workers receive a wage of £11.44 per hour and are guaranteed a minimum of 32 hours per week. In Britain, most Kyrgyz migrants are employed on strawberry farms. Shift Away from Russia For the past 30 years, Russia has been the primary destination for Kyrgyz labor migrants, with estimates ranging from 500,000 to over a million. However, Russia’s economic downturn, stricter migration policies, and increasing hostility toward Central Asian workers have prompted many Kyrgyz migrants to seek alternative destinations. As a result, more Kyrgyz workers are heading to Kazakhstan, Turkey, Germany, South Korea, the United States, and Great Britain, reflecting a broader shift in Kyrgyzstan’s labor migration patterns.

Migrant Workers

Migrants from Kyrgyzstan Anticipate Tougher Conditions for Work in Russia

A majority of Kyrgyz citizens believe that working conditions for migrants in Russia will deteriorate significantly in the near future, according to a recent survey by the FOCUS Alliance of Euro-Asian Sociologists. Survey Findings The survey results paint a grim outlook for migrant workers from Kyrgyzstan: 61.5% of respondents believe that conditions for migrant workers in Russia will worsen significantly. 14.7% think the situation will remain the same. 10.7% are confident that despite challenges, migrants will adapt. Only 4.4% are optimistic, expecting improved conditions for foreign workers. Another 8.9% found it difficult to predict the future of migrant labor in Russia. A similar sentiment was observed in Uzbekistan. According to the same survey: 35% of Uzbek respondents believe it will become impossible for migrants to find work in Russia. 28% believe the situation will remain stable. 22% are confident that migrant workers will overcome challenges. 6% expect conditions to improve. The survey, which included 1,433 participants, used a random sampling method with a margin of error of 3%. Stricter Migration Policies in Russia Russia has tightened its migration policies in recent months, with the State Duma passing multiple bills aimed at increasing oversight of foreign nationals. The crackdown on migration follows a terrorist attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall, which reignited debates around national security and the regulation of foreign labor. Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the interests of Russian citizens must take priority in drafting migration laws. He also stressed the importance of migrants adhering to local legislation and having knowledge of the Russian language. These developments reflect a growing trend in Russia to limit migration and impose stricter conditions on foreign workers. Kyrgyzstan’s Response Despite the challenges, Kyrgyzstan remains committed to labor migration as a critical aspect of its economy. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Edil Baisalov reassured that the country will continue to export labor to Russia. Russia is a key destination for Kyrgyz migrant workers, with remittances from workers abroad making up a significant portion of Kyrgyzstan’s GDP. However, with stricter migration laws and a shifting labor market, the ability of Kyrgyz workers to sustain their livelihoods in Russia may face serious obstacles. The survey results highlight widespread pessimism among Kyrgyz and Uzbek citizens regarding the future of migrant work in Russia. Stricter migration policies and a focus on prioritizing Russian citizens are contributing to uncertainty for Central Asian migrant workers. While Kyrgyzstan continues to rely on labor migration to support its economy, adapting to the evolving conditions in Russia will require resilience and potentially new strategies to protect its migrant workforce.

Economy

Uzbekistan Receives $14.8 Billion in Remittances in 2024

The total volume of remittances sent to Uzbekistan in 2024 reached a record $14.8 billion, marking a 30% increase - equivalent to $3.4 billion - compared to the previous year. This data comes from the Central Bank’s Brief Review on Currency Transactions of Individuals. Key Sources of Remittances Russia remains the dominant source of remittances for Uzbekistan, accounting for 77% of the total, or $11.5 billion - a 29% increase from 2023. Other key contributors include: Kazakhstan: $795 million United States: $577 million South Korea: $534 million Turkey: $405 million United Kingdom: $135 million July saw the highest inflow of remittances, with $1.785 billion received, while February recorded the lowest amount, at $738 million. Remittance growth varied significantly by country / region: United Kingdom: Up 83% South Korea: Up 56% United States: Up 35% European Union: Up 32% While inflows surged, the volume of remittances sent abroad from Uzbekistan also grew, increasing by 19% in 2024 to reach $2.8 billion. Russia remains the largest source of remittances to Uzbekistan, thanks to the significant number of Uzbek migrants working there. However, new restrictions introduced in 47 Russian regions, including the occupied territories of Crimea, Sevastopol, and Zaporozhye, could negatively impact Central Asian migrant workers. According to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, there were more than 6.1 million foreigners in Russia in 2024, the majority from Central Asia and other CIS countries. Among them, over 1.88 million Uzbek citizens visited Russia during the first eight months of the year, underscoring the strong ties between Uzbek migrant labor and Russia's economy. The substantial increase in remittances highlights the critical role of labor migration in Uzbekistan’s economy. However, the evolving regulatory environment in key source countries like Russia could pose challenges for Central Asian migrants and, by extension, Uzbekistan’s remittance-dependent economy.