Kyrgyzstan’s presidential spokesperson Askat Alagozov has recently urged Kyrgyz citizens working in Russia to return home and contribute to the country’s workforce. Alagozov emphasized the need for construction and textile workers in Kyrgyzstan and reassured that working locally would allow individuals to stay closer to their families.
In his social media announcement, Alagozov noted that while salaries in Kyrgyzstan may not match those in Russia, working at home offers the benefit of being near family. He also shared the contact details of the Ministry of Labor and Social Development for citizens seeking employment assistance.
Despite these calls, many Kyrgyz nationals working in Russia remain skeptical. In Russia, the average salary for a migrant worker ranges from 80,000 to 200,000 KGS ($950 to $2,350), while in Kyrgyzstan, the average salary is significantly lower, between 30,000 to 50,000 KGS ($350 to $600). This salary disparity is a significant factor driving the migration of Kyrgyz workers to Russia.
One follower of Alagozov’s social media post highlighted that a major reason for migrating is to save enough money to buy a home, a goal that is challenging to achieve with local salaries. As of August 1, 57,500 Kyrgyz citizens were registered as unemployed, although the National Statistical Committee reports a 21% decrease in registered unemployment over the past year.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Development claims that over 230,000 citizens have been employed in recent years, with 58,000 receiving vocational training. However, some workers dispute the ministry’s claims. Ulukbek, a construction worker from Bishkek, shared that permanent work is hard to find, and many workers are forced to accept any job available. He described a competitive job market, where people often work on a daily basis and face challenges such as low pay and difficult working conditions.
The recent construction boom has highlighted a shortage of qualified workers in Kyrgyzstan, yet the labour market remains challenging. Workers are often required to take on multiple low-paying jobs to make ends meet, revealing a gap between official reports and the realities of the job market.