Uzbekistan’s Growing Construction Industry Could Stem Emigration to Russia
The construction sector in Uzbekistan is experiencing rapid growth, with some projects offering wages competitive with those in Russia. Alisher Roziyev, head of the department at the Agency for External Labor Migration, noted that this could lead to a decrease in the flow of labor migrants to Russia in the future.
Currently, wages for construction projects in Uzbekistan are comparable to those in the Russian Federation. Roziyev mentioned that there is an acceleration in construction works in Uzbekistan, with workers at major construction sites earning around $500-$600 per month. This could discourage citizens from seeking employment in Russia for similar wages.
In the last two years, the agency has expanded the opportunities for employment abroad, especially in Europe where there is a demand for labor. The number of Uzbek labor migrants in Russia has decreased from 4-6 million to 1 million over the last eight years, according to reports from the President of Uzbekistan and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Putin acknowledged the contribution of migrants to economic development during his visit to Uzbekistan and stated that Russia is committed to creating decent working conditions for them. Overall, the construction sector in Uzbekistan is providing competitive wages and opportunities for its citizens, potentially reshaping the dynamics of labor migration to Russia.
