Migrants - The Times Of Central Asia

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Citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Warned Against Non-Essential Travel to Russia

Citizens of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are warned against traveling to Russia, reportedly due to “additional security measures and enhanced border controls” imposed by the Russian government. On September 10, the Tajik embassy in Moscow advised Tajiks “to temporarily refrain from traveling to the Russian Federation unless necessary.” Similar advice was issued by Kyrgyzstan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs the same advice on September 5, in the statement: “In connection with the continuation of additional security measures introduced on the territory of Russia and the regime of enhanced control over the passage of foreign citizens across the state border, the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the Russian Federation recommends that citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic who do not have compelling reasons for entering the Russian Federation temporarily refrain from traveling to its territory until the above measures are lifted.” Given that remittances sent by Central Asian immigrants are the primary source of financial support for many families, the warning may have serious economic consequences for immigrants working in Russia. For context, this warning is one of many. After the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, restrictions on the entry of Central Asians into Russia were announced several times. The issue of immigrants remains controversial in Russia. For example, a Russian diplomat recently proposed a temporary moratorium on Russian citizenship for Central Asians, whilst another deputy suggested that the government impose a ban on immigrants.

Children's Code Children's Rights UNICEF Migrants Legislation

Kyrgyzstan Wants to Fine Emigrants Who Leave Their Children at Home

Kyrgyzstan has proposed introducing liability for parents who go to work abroad and leave their children without proper custody. The bill was initiated by the Ministry of Labor and has been submitted for public discussion. It is planned to introduce the concept of “children of migrant workers” into the Children's Code. According to the Ministry of Labor, in the first quarter of this year, about 85,000 children were identified, half of whom are with relatives without legal guardianship. The Ministry emphasizes that parents' absence leads to a lack of love and care; many are forced to work and do not attend school. The new bill proposes fines of 15,000 KGS ($181) for parents who leave their children in the care of relatives, neighbors, children, or acquaintances without notifying the guardianship authorities. Similar measures to protect migrant children exist in other countries. For example, in Uzbekistan, a project was launched in 2018 to support children left behind by parents who go to work abroad. The project is supported by UNICEF and funded by the European Union. It aims to provide social and legal assistance to children without officially appointed guardians. According to the research data, many children are left with relatives without legal guardianship, leading to various social problems that require state support.

Migrants Legislation Migration Russia

Proposed Temporary Moratorium on Russian Citizenship for Central Asians

Sergey Mironov, leader of the “A Just Russia – For Truth” party, has written on his social media page of the necessity to introduce a temporary moratorium on granting Russian citizenship to immigrants from Central Asia. Since problems related to migration are currently central to the attention of legislators, he believes that the party's previous proposal of a similar initiative should be revisited. According to Mironov, the state should oppose "mass passports for workers" and protect its interests in national security, by introducing a moratorium on granting Russian citizenship to residents of Central Asian countries, “at least until 2026. And during this time, it will be possible to regulate the legislation, reform the migration service, clear it of bribe-takers, and check the legality of previously issued passports." Mironov's recommendation follows in the wake of a previous report by The Times of Central Asia and the President of Uzbekistan's opinion that the increase in geopolitical tensions and disputes, as well as the lack of mutual trust, harm the development of international cooperation in the fight against the threats of terrorism and extremism.

Migrant Workers Migrants Human rights Russia Legislation

Russia Wants to Ban Migrants’ Families

Russia is considering a bill that could restrict the right of migrant workers to bring their families into the country. The initiative from LDPR deputies, led by Leonid Slutsky, has already sparked active discussions among politicians and society. The main goal of the proposed law is to reduce the inflow of uncontrolled migration and the ensuing public tension. Particular reference is made to the many migrant families living in Russia who accumulate debts for public utilities and create enclaves where local laws and customs are often ignored. The bill suggests that with the exception of highly qualified specialists, the presence of a work contract or a patent, should no longer be a reason for migrants to move their families to Russia. This bill is not the only measure aimed at tightening the migration policy in Russia. In 2022, a “controlled stay” system was introduced, strengthening control over migrants on the country's territory. In recent years, Russia has also introduced labor migration quotas limiting the number of jobs available to foreign nationals, especially in construction, trade, and other low-skilled sectors. These quotas were further tightened, resulting in fewer migrants entering the country. Another measure was the introduction of compulsory health insurance for migrants, adding a financial burden to those coming to work in Russia. In addition, strict language and cultural integration requirements have been introduced, including mandatory Russian language training and exams on the country's history and culture. Such actions have drawn criticism from human rights activists, who believe that the restrictions could increase social tensions and make life difficult for migrants already living in Russia.

Migrants

Despite Labor Shortages, Kyrgyzstan Continues to Round-Up Undocumented Migrants

Kyrgyzstan is grappling with a severe labor shortage, yet the government continues to crack down on undocumented migrants. Police raids in Bishkek over the past few days have resulted in the detention of 28 Bangladeshi nationals, who face administrative penalties and were fined for working without valid documentation. This crackdown, however, comes despite an urgent need for laborers, the head of the construction agency in the Kyrgyz Republic stating that the construction industry alone urgently needs at least 10,000 workers. The tension between labor shortages and the crackdown on migrant workers has been an ongoing theme of President Japarov’s tenure. Since March, Kyrgyz authorities have intensified efforts to find and deport illegal migrant laborers, with some 1,500 Pakistanis and 1,000 Bangladeshis apprehended. This campaign reflects the nationalist policies promoted by Japarov and his longtime ally Tashiyev, emphasizing Kyrgyz traditions and customs, which have gained them significant popularity. The support of young Kyrgyz men, who are a crucial pillar for Japarov and Tashiyev, is evident in their backing of measures to curb undocumented migration. The situation escalated on May 17-18, when unrest broke out in Bishkek, leading to the hospitalization of 41 people. The unrest underscored splits within the government, with Deputy Cabinet Chairman Edil Baisalov labeling the attackers as "hooligans," while President Japarov defended the actions of "patriotic youth" who demand strict measures against illegal migrants. The violence targeted foreign students and workers, exacerbating tensions and prompting diplomatic concerns, as seen in the meeting between Kyrgyz Deputy Foreign Minister Almaz Imangaziev and a Pakistani delegation discussing the safety of foreign nationals. Despite assurances from the Kyrgyz government that such incidents would be prevented in the future, the crackdown on migrant workers continues, highlighting the complex interplay between labor needs and nationalist policies. President Japarov has vowed swift action against any threats to state integrity, signaling a tough stance on both undocumented migration and internal dissent. This ongoing tension reveals the challenges Kyrgyzstan faces in balancing economic demands with political and social stability.

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An Uneasy Calm After Unrest in Bishkek

On the night of May 18, riots took place in Bishkek. The reason - a fight between foreign medical students and local youth. The trigger was a video of a scuffle, which occurred on May 13, when Egyptian citizens beat several locals. This video was then widely circulated on social networks. Local politicians have stated that they believe the situation was fueled from the outside. What happened? On the night of May 18, protesters blocked several streets in the center of Bishkek. According to the Interior Ministry, the number of people continued to grow, and there was a threat of mass disorder, so all personnel from the capital's police were placed on alert. All hostels and dormitories in the city where foreign citizens live were put under guard. The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the large number of migrants coming into the country from Egypt, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. The head of Kyrgyzstan's National Security Committee said law enforcement agencies detained several provocateurs who were calling for the overthrow of the government. By morning, the participants in the unauthorized rally had been dispersed. In total, about 1,000 people took part in the unrest, according to the capital's police. Law enforcement urged citizens not to give in to provocations and show a high-level of civil responsibility. The Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic reported that following the incident, 41 people sought medical assistance in Bishkek. Four Egyptians were detained - local media claim they were participants in the conflict that took place on May 13. Later, it became known that some Kyrgyz citizens had also been detained. The confrontation between local residents and foreigners has acquired an international dimension, with a number of government agencies in neighboring countries expressing their concern. For example, Kazakhstan introduced a special regime on the border with Kyrgyzstan. The authorities in Pakistan, meanwhile, have organized emergency flights, and a number of their students and workers are leaving Kyrgyzstan. Several thousand students from India, Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh and Nepal study at Bishkek's medical institutes. There are also migrant workers from these countries living in the country, who are mainly employed in the production of garments. Who benefits from the unrest? According to deputy Dastan Bekeshev of the Jokorku Kenesh, the unrest is an attempt to find the authorities' vulnerabilities. "One of the indicators of economic growth is when citizens of the country hire foreign citizens as workers. And there is no way for us to avoid conflicts with foreign citizens. Conflicts are also arranged by our own citizens abroad. Of course, guests should not forget that they are guests and must coexist peacefully with the citizens of the country they are in. But we should also learn tolerance and wisdom when various conflicts occur. There are law enforcement agencies and they have every opportunity to punish a foreigner and expel him from Kyrgyzstan for a long time. Our laws on external migration are very strict," the parliamentarian wrote on his Telegram channel. The MP said...