Migrant Workers Once Again Urged to Return to Kyrgyzstan

Wednesday, September 3, 2025, 19:00 Those migrant workers who wished to return have already come back to Kyrgyzstan. However, if the country’s economic conditions improve, more could follow. Economist Iskender Sharsheev shared this view with Vesti.kg in response to calls in the Jogorku Kenesh to intensify efforts to encourage migrants to return home. “According to official statistics, unemployment rates are already low. Around 300–400 thousand people have returned to the country. About 300 thousand remain in Russia, according to migration services. Why are they coming back? The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the start of the Russia–Ukraine conflict in 2022 were decisive factors. Some returning migrants reoriented themselves toward Europe and other countries. The domestic labor market has grown, particularly in construction, where specialists are finding jobs. The number of manufacturing enterprises is also increasing. If this trend continues, even more of our citizens will be able to return and earn a living here,” the expert said. At the same time, he noted that there are those whose return is unlikely. “There’s little chance that they will come back. These are our citizens who have found suitable conditions in other countries. Kyrgyzstan lacks such workers, which is why migrants from other countries, for example Bangladesh and Pakistan, are coming here to work. I think those who wanted to return have already done so. After all, migration is not only about money, but also about travel, new living conditions, a personal challenge, and other reasons why people choose other countries,” Sharsheev explained. He added that if hostilities between Russia and Ukraine cease and reconstruction of the devastated territories begins, many specialists from Kyrgyzstan may go there provided wages are competitive. “There will be demand for their labor. Otherwise, in the near future, with further economic development in Kyrgyzstan, the number of Kyrgyz citizens residing in Russia could decline to about 200 thousand,” the economist suggested. For context, MP Dastan Dzhumabekov appealed to the new Minister of Labor, Social Security, and Migration, Kanat Sagynbaev, to pay special attention to bringing Kyrgyz citizens back home. “Abroad they face many problems and endure so much suffering. It’s time to bring them back home, to actively promote this idea,” the lawmaker stressed. Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov and State Committee for National Security head Kamchybek Tashiev have also called on migrant workers to return, emphasizing that the country now has favorable conditions, available jobs, and rising wages. It should also be noted that the tightening of migration laws in Russia is playing a role in the return of Kyrgyz citizens. Source: Vesti.kg – Migrant Workers Once Again Urged to Return to Kyrgyzstan