Ryazantsev S., Vazirov Z., Khramova M., Smirnov A. The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on the Position of Labor Migrants from Central Asia in Russia. Central Asia and the Caucasus, 2020, Vol. 21, Issue 3, pp. 58-70.

Abstract

The article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the position of Central Asian labor migrants in Rus­sia. The article notes the significant role of labor migration in the formation of Russia’s gross domestic product and budget. The eth­nic specialization of Central Asian labor mi­grants in the Russian economy is described: migrants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan work in construction and agriculture, those from Kyrgyzstan—in trade, the service sphere and public catering. The economic downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic re­duced the employment rate of labor migrants from Central Asian countries in the Russian economy significantly, albeit unevenly. Nu­merous workers from Tajikistan and Uzbeki­stan engaged in construction, maintenance and transport lost their jobs. A sociological survey of labor migrants revealed that the key problems of Central Asian labor migrants dur­ing the pandemic were the loss of work and income, the inability to pay for housing and food, and increased pressure from the secu­rity forces. Considering the significant scale of the decline in production and the growth of unemployment among labor migrants in Rus­sia, the volume of money transfers to Central Asian countries is expected to decrease in the coming months. The highest rates of de­cline are expected in Tajikistan and Uzbeki­stan, to a lesser extent in Kyrgyzstan. The coordination of Russia’s actions with the do­nor countries of Central Asia in the sphere of humanitarian aid, transportation of migrants to their homeland, and reduction of pressure on migration communities should be a key area at the international level.

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