Uzbekistan Pivots West for Labor as Russia’s Appeal Fades

Uzbekistan is strategically expanding the employment horizons for its citizens, marking a significant pivot away from its traditional reliance on Russia. Through new cooperation agreements with the United Kingdom, Romania, and Slovenia, Tashkent is actively exploring new labor markets in Europe as opportunities in the Russian Federation become less attractive.

A high-level Uzbek delegation recently visited London, signing a memorandum of cooperation with the UK’s Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA). This agreement is set to regulate the recruitment of Uzbek nationals for work in the United Kingdom, particularly in the agricultural sector. The deal aims to increase quotas for Uzbek workers while strengthening legal guarantees for their rights and interests during their employment.

This westward-looking strategy is largely driven by a cooling relationship with Russia. The number of Uzbek labor migrants in Russia has reportedly dropped from over 2 million in 2023 to an estimated 1.3 million by early 2025. This decline is attributed to Russia’s increasingly stringent migration laws, including over 20 new legislative acts and regional bans prohibiting migrants from working in sectors like taxi services and domestic utilities. Furthermore, recent statements from Moscow promoting a “come, earn, leave” policy for migrants, without families, have fueled anxiety within the migrant community.

In its continued effort to diversify, Tashkent is also advancing talks with other European nations. The Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan held productive negotiations with the Romanian ambassador to establish an intergovernmental agreement on organized labor migration. The dialogue focused on creating legitimate employment channels, jointly combating illegal migration, and establishing regular consular consultations to protect workers’ rights.

Slovenia has also opened its doors, with a recent delegation visiting Uzbekistan to recruit workers directly. The visit, which included meetings in Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara, resulted in 100 Uzbek citizens immediately signing employment contracts. Slovenian employers highlighted a significant labor shortage, with over 160,000 vacant jobs and a growing demand for qualified specialists from Uzbekistan.

The issue of labor migration is not unique to Uzbekistan and remains a pressing concern across Central Asia. The topic will take center stage at the upcoming third Inter-parliamentary Forum of Central Asian states in Bishkek on September 23. A key session titled “Migration and Labor Flows: Legislative Support for Citizens’ Rights and Economic Sustainability” will see parliamentary speakers from the region collaborate on finding sustainable solutions, underscoring the regional importance of this economic and social challenge.