Uzbeks and Tajiks instead of Russia are opting for China, South Korea, the Middle East and Europe as labour migration destination. Labor migration to the Russian Federation has become less profitable for them in recent years due to the depreciation of the ruble, Alexander Safonov, professor at the Financial University under the Government and former Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development told URA.RU.
In 2020-2021, the reduction in the flow of migrants was due to COVID, then due to the ruble‘s depreciation, he noted.
The tightening by Russia of its migration policy is also contributing to the reduction in the number of foreign workers, he added. The Central Asian countries themselves are also developing. China is investing in their economies, and Russian companies are also moving production there, Safonov added. New jobs are appearing in these countries, comparable in salaries in Russia. At the same time, people stay at home and do not have to pay for travel or rent.
