Migrants - The Times Of Central Asia

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Work in the EAEU App Expands to Uzbekistan to Support Migrant Workers

The “Work in the EAEU” mobile app, developed by the Eurasian Development Bank’s (EDB) Fund for Digital Initiatives, has officially launched services for migrant workers in Uzbekistan, the EDB has announced. With this launch, the app now operates in Uzbekistan, a country that is neither a member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) - which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia - nor an EDB member state. The expansion highlights the app’s broader regional ambitions. Initially launched in June 2022, the “Work in the EAEU” app was designed to support the free movement of labor within EAEU member states. The service has since expanded to include Tajikistan in September 2024, and now Uzbekistan. Services for Migrant Workers The app provides a wide range of services tailored for individuals seeking employment in Uzbekistan. Key features include: Job search tools and the ability to apply for vacancies. Assistance in applying to government authorities for personal identification numbers or registration cards. Access to tax services, information on work permits, and visa requirements, including types of visas and IT visas. Support in finding accommodation and purchasing air or railway tickets. Comprehensive legal and regulatory information on employment in Uzbekistan. The app is intended to simplify employment processes for migrant workers and enhance their access to essential services through a single platform. Migration Trends in the Region For decades, hundreds of thousands of citizens from former Soviet republics have migrated within the region in search of better job opportunities. Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan, have historically supplied significant numbers of labor migrants to Russia. However, recent geopolitical shifts have altered migration patterns. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the partial mobilization in September 2022, thousands of Russian citizens fled their country, with many relocating to Central Asia. This reverse migration underscores the increasing importance of tools like the “Work in the EAEU” app, which facilitates mobility and employment across borders. The launch of the “Work in the EAEU” app in Uzbekistan represents a step forward in easing cross-border employment processes in the region. As migration patterns continue to evolve, such digital initiatives will play a crucial role in supporting both labor migrants and host countries.

Legislation USA Migrants Deportation statistics

Deportations of Central Asians from the U.S. Increased in 2024

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has released its Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, detailing the agency’s accomplishments over the past year. The report highlights how ICE’s directorates and program offices met their mission objectives. Established in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, ICE is tasked with protecting the American public, ensuring public safety, and promoting national security. According to the report, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) deported 271,484 non-citizens with final orders of removal to 192 countries. This total includes 88,763 individuals charged with or convicted of criminal offenses, 3,706 known or suspected gang members, 237 known or suspected terrorists, and eight human rights violators. More than 30% of those deported had criminal histories, with an average of 5.63 convictions or charges per individual. ERO also assisted in identifying and arresting individuals wanted in their home countries for serious crimes, including terrorism and torture. The Times of Central Asia examined the report with a focus on Central Asian countries. In 2024, the US deported 572 Uzbek nationals - a dramatic increase compared to 88 in 2013, 21 in 2021, and 55 in 2022. Deportations of Tajik citizens also surged, reaching 77 in 2024 compared to only four annually in 2019, 2020, 2022, and 2023. Kazakhstan saw the deportation of 23 of its citizens this year, up from 14 in 2023. Deportations to Kyrgyzstan also spiked, with 69 individuals removed in 2024. By comparison, only three Kyrgyz citizens were deported in 2020, eight in 2021, one in 2022, and 14 in 2023. Meanwhile, deportations of Turkmen nationals remained low, but still showed an upward trend. In 2024, five Turkmen citizens were deported, compared to four in 2019, one in 2022, and three in 2023.

Migrants Construction Industry Legislation

Kazakhstan’s Construction Sector Pushes for Easier Access to Migrant Labor

The Chairman of the Union of Builders of Kazakhstan (UBK), Talgat Yergaliyev, has called for simplifying the hiring process for foreign labor in Kazakhstan’s construction industry, citing a severe workforce shortage. “Today, our young people prefer office jobs, and no one wants to work in production. Year after year, the number of workers in the labor market is shrinking, and even government agencies are facing staffing shortages. In the construction industry, this problem is even more pronounced,” Yergaliyev said during a joint press conference with the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of Kazakhstan, Atameken. “That’s why we propose following Russia’s example by attracting foreign labor to the construction sector.” However, Yergaliyev noted that Kazakhstan lacks mechanisms to support the large-scale hiring of migrant workers. By comparison, Russian construction companies pay 80,000 rubles ($790) annually for a patent to hire foreign workers, while a similar permit in Kazakhstan costs construction firms nearly double—700,000 KZT ($1,300) or more. Yergaliyev also acknowledged that low wages are a significant factor deterring Kazakhs from working in construction. “To retain Kazakhstani workers on construction sites today, they must be paid between $800 and $2,000. Otherwise, they will move to other sectors where the work is less demanding,” he explained. The labor shortage in Kazakhstan's construction industry is reaching critical levels. According to The Times of Central Asia, there are currently about 111,000 unfilled vacancies in the sector, and authorities project that this deficit could double by 2030. Despite this growing need, Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Labor and Social Protection reduced the foreign labor quota in November, potentially exacerbating the issue. Yergaliyev's proposal underscores the urgent need to address the labor shortfall while balancing fair wages for local workers with the costs of hiring migrant labor.

Afghanistan Migration Legislation Migrants migrants rights Tajik-Afghan Border

Afghan Migration Committee Urges Tajikistan to Halt Refugee Deportations

Mosawer Bahadori, head of Afghanistan’s Migration Committee (Aryana) in Tajikistan, has raised concern over the deportation of Afghan migrants from Tajikistan, urging the authorities to safeguard refugee rights and adhere to international obligations. Concerns Over Deportations In a recent statement, Bahadori expressed condolences to the Afghan families affected by the deportations and emphasized the committee’s commitment to supporting Afghan migrants. He noted that the deportation process, ongoing for over a week, has caused widespread concern among the refugee population. Advocacy for Refugee Rights The Afghan Migration Committee, which has operated in Tajikistan for more than 27 years, serves as an intermediary between Afghan refugees and local authorities. Functioning under the legislative framework of Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice, the committee addresses migrant concerns and facilitates dialogue with state institutions. Bahadori urged Tajikistan to honor its international obligations, particularly by acceding to United Nations conventions that prohibit deporting refugees to countries where they face threats to their lives. Many Afghan refugees in Tajikistan fled Taliban persecution and have been granted asylum or refugee status. Proposals for Alternative Solutions Bahadori proposed alternative approaches to deportation, including: Negotiating with international organizations or third countries to facilitate the transfer of Afghan refugees. Simplifying the relocation process to make resettlement more accessible. Introducing fines or imprisonment as penalties for offenses, rather than deporting individuals to unsafe conditions. The Afghan Migration Committee also assured Tajik authorities that Afghan refugees would continue to respect local laws and customs. The committee pledged to cooperate with Tajik security forces to address repeated illegal activities by individuals through lawful measures. Call for Diplomatic Solutions Bahadori concluded his statement by advocating diplomatic solutions to protect vulnerable Afghan migrants while maintaining strong relations between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. He emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to uphold human rights and ensure the safety of refugees.

Russia Migration Crime Migrants Russia's War Criminal Responsibility migrants rights

Killing of Russian General Kirillov: Arrest of Uzbek Suspect Raises Fears Among Central Asians

In the early hours of Tuesday, December 17, an explosion occurred at the entrance of an apartment building in a modest Moscow district, killing two people: Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov and his assistant. Kirillov was the head of the Radiation, Chemical, and Biological Defense (RCBD) troops of the Russian Armed Forces. A briefing by him had reportedly been scheduled for later that day. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the arrest of a suspect: a 1995-born citizen of Uzbekistan. According to the FSB, the suspect was identified and detained through joint operations with Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Investigative Committee. According to investigators, the explosive device had been attached to an electric scooter parked near the building's entrance. Surveillance was allegedly conducted via a video camera placed inside a carshare vehicle parked nearby for several days. While the Ukrainian side has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack, some sources linked to Ukraine’s Security Service have reportedly done so. Russian officials quickly blamed Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated, “The Kiev regime does not shy away from such methods,” without providing evidence. Soon after, Investigative Committee spokesperson Svetlana Petrenko claimed that the suspect had confessed to being recruited by Ukrainian special services, who allegedly promised him an EU passport and $100,000. However, a video of the confession released by the FSB raises doubts. The suspect, who appears to struggle with Russian, delivers statements that suggest he may not fully understand what he is saying. While the confession's credibility is unclear, the nationality of the suspect - another migrant from Central Asia - is what resonates most in the short term. The incident follows a previous terrorist attack at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall, after which migrants from Central Asia faced intensified scrutiny. Over the past six months, many Central Asian workers living in Russia have felt treated not as second-class but as third-class citizens. Document checks, lengthy detentions, and increasingly restrictive rules for entry and residency in Russia have become commonplace. In August, Russia’s Interior Ministry reported that almost 92,800 foreign citizens were expelled in the first half of 2024 - a 53.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. In response to the attack, nationalist groups and patriotic public figures are once again urging the Russian government to introduce a visa regime for Central Asian countries, particularly Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Similar measures have been observed in Turkey after the Crocus incident involving Tajik citizens, and in the UAE following a high-profile crime involving Uzbek nationals. It is highly likely that anti-migrant sentiment in Russia will intensify in the coming months. Coupled with increased security operations, this trend could escalate into new forms of repression targeting migrants. Such measures are likely to strain Russia's relations with Central Asian republics, where the treatment of migrant workers remains a sensitive issue.

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Uzbek Deputy Proposes Introducing Visa Regime With Russia

Russian politician Leonid Slutsky has proposed establishing a comprehensive set of mandatory rules for foreign workers in Russia, called the “Migrant Code.” Developed in coordination with diasporas and law enforcement agencies, the code outlines guidelines for migrants seeking legal employment in Russia. According to Slutsky, the Migrant Code will require foreign workers to learn Russian and ensure their families also acquire language skills if residing in Russia. Migrants, he says, must respect Russian culture and traditions, adhere to public behavior standards, obtain official employment, and pay taxes. Additional requirements include securing insurance against deportation or expulsion, undergoing fingerprinting, genomic registration, and mental health testing. In response, Alisher Qodirov, chairman of Uzbekistan’s Milli Tiklanish (National Revival) party, suggested introducing a visa regime with Russia to address potential instability and a rise in migration flows. Qodirov underscored the importance of Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries implementing stricter entry and exit controls to Russia, alongside enhanced requirements for job seekers. He emphasized the need for migrants to respect their host country’s language, culture, and laws while reaffirming the significance of national values. He further stated that educating Uzbek workers on their rights and responsibilities would help mitigate social, political, and economic challenges for Uzbekistan. It would also protect citizens from exploitation and discrimination abroad, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its people.