Labor migration in Russia is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly for individuals from Central Asia. There is a growing call for more stringent measures against immigrants, often accompanied by discriminatory implications.
On November 1, a man from Uzbekistan, Mahmudjon Marufzoda, along with two other new Russian citizens, lost their Russian citizenship for failing to register for military service on time. Marufzoda, who had gained Russian citizenship on August 28, was also barred from staying or returning to the country for five years. Despite being offered a resolution by Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Marufzoda declined, signifying the end of his journey in Russia.
This incident occurred shortly after a Russian politician criticized Uzbekistan for not allowing its citizens to serve in the Russian Army.
On October 19, Sergey Mironov, leader of the A Just Russia faction in the Russian Parliament and State Duma, called for a visa protocol to be established between Russia and Uzbekistan. He voiced his frustration over the Consulate of Uzbekistan in Kazan’s recent advisory against Uzbek citizens joining the Russian Army, even though they benefit from Russia’s social benefits.
In response, Uzbek politicians, including the chairman of the National Revival Party and a deputy speaker of the Legislative Chamber, quickly retaliated, emphasizing that the Uzbek nation earns through hard work, not by war. They suggested that Mironov and his family should defend Russia instead.
Officially, approximately 1.8 million Uzbeks work in Russia, although the actual number may be double due to undocumented workers and the seasonal nature of labor migration. Many Central Asian migrants seek Russian citizenship to bypass the hurdles of obtaining and retaining a work permit. In 2022 alone, 27,000 Uzbekistanis became Russian citizens.
Remittances from relatives working abroad, predominantly in Russia, form a significant part of the income for many Central Asian families. However, Russia also relies heavily on migrant workers, especially from Central Asia, to sustain its economy.
Despite the need for nearly 5 million workers in various sectors, Russia’s attitude towards Central Asian migrants has become increasingly hostile. Criticizing Central Asian migrants has become a patriotic act for many in Russian state media and politics, especially after the Crocus City Hall terrorist attack, where the alleged perpetrators were from Tajikistan.
The situation continues to evolve, with recent calls for the expulsion of migrant children who do not speak Russian. Russia has used its migration policy as a political tool in the past, with several instances of persecution and deportation of foreign nationals.
Central Asian migrant workers face ongoing racism and discrimination in Russia, and now Russian officials are consciously targeting migrants and discussing “lightening” Russian territories. This anti-migrant sentiment, once primarily seen among the public, is now being espoused by state officials.
Finally, while Russia remains a major destination for Central Asian migrant workers due to factors like its visa-free regime and established migrant communities, the increasing hostility could risk Russia losing more of its workforce and damaging its relations with Central Asia.
