Legal, illegal, digital

Around one in ten Central Asians work abroad. Most migrant workers are Uzbeks, followed by Tajiks and Kyrgyz. They leave their homeland because of poverty and a lack of prospects. Many go to Russia. Their remittances from there to their home country are an important economic factor. In Russia, migrants live under difficult conditions. Many end up living illegally. So-called “digital neighbourhoods” offer solidarity. Due to the increasingly restrictive migration policy, growing xenophobia, and the risk of being drawn into Russia’s war against Ukraine, migrant workers are looking for other destinations. More and more people from Uzbekistan, especially women, are going to Turkey. In Istanbul, they live in ethnic enclaves. But these alone no longer guarantee protection and cohesion. Uzbekistan’s government is trying to win over South Korea, Japan, and Germany as new destination countries for Uzbek migrant workers.

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