Still from video
Uzbek nationals living and working abroad have been invited to return home and take part in the construction of «New Tashkent.» The initiative comes from the Ministry of Construction and Housing and Communal Services, along with the Ministry of Employment and Poverty Reduction. On February 28, they released a joint video message, which was shared on the Telegram channel of Uzbekistan’s embassy in Russia.
The video states that construction companies in Uzbekistan are ready to employ approximately 10,000 Uzbek workers with experience in the field. Job opportunities are available in 38 trades, including concrete workers, plasterers, plumbers, electricians, and bricklayers. Workers are promised free three meals a day, work attire, and dormitory accommodation. The workday will be eight hours long.
Monthly salaries will range from 8 million to 15 million Uzbek sum (approximately $625–$1,170). For comparison, the average monthly salary in Uzbekistan was 5.3 million sum ($412) at the end of 2024.
Uzbek labor migrants abroad who are interested in the offer can contact authorities at 0 800 0000 1176, while those already in Uzbekistan can use the short number 1176.
Official data from summer 2024 estimated that about one million Uzbek labor migrants were working in Russia. The return of many has been accelerated by Russia’s tightening of migration policies and new restrictions barring non-EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) migrants from certain job sectors. According to Uzbekistan’s Agency for External Labor Migration, over 115,000 labor migrants returned to the country in the first four months of the year, including from Russia. Despite this, over a million Uzbeks remain in Russia.
In 2016, Russian authorities estimated that approximately two million Uzbek citizens were residing in the country.
Since Shavkat Mirziyoyev took office in 2016, Uzbekistan has introduced measures to support citizens seeking work abroad. Those participating in organized labor migration programs are offered partial reimbursement for work visa processing fees, foreign language and professional certification exams, as well as travel expenses. Soon, returning labor migrants will also be able to apply for mortgage loans to purchase apartments in new Uzbek housing developments.
