Illustrative photo
An important milestone in this process was the memorandum signed last year between Tajikistan and Belgium. This document, which is currently undergoing the necessary state procedures, will open up access for Tajik citizens to employment in the Benelux countries — Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The most in-demand sectors for labor migrants include agriculture, construction, social services, and medicine.
The minister also reported on ongoing negotiations with Japan, where a mechanism for the employment of qualified specialists is being developed. Tajik authorities have already prepared a draft agreement with several Japanese employers, which has allowed 10 citizens of the republic to secure jobs in the Land of the Rising Sun.
In addition, over 500 Tajik citizens have already found work in Qatar, noted Kholmakhamadzoda. She also emphasized the importance of partnership with South Korea, where 800 quotas for labor migrants from Tajikistan were allocated last year. After professional training and Korean language exams, 21 individuals secured jobs, and another 12 migrants are in the process of obtaining documents for departure.
Tajikistan has also signed labor migration agreements with other countries, including Germany and the United Kingdom.
At the same time, the ministers reported on the creation of new jobs within the country. In 2022, 280,000 vacancies were opened, but only 25% of them are permanent, while the rest are temporary or seasonal.
According to Kholmakhamadzoda, there is a growing demand for labor in sectors such as industry, construction, and tourism.
"Today, local companies offer competitive working conditions and salaries that are on par with foreign ones," added the minister.
According to forecasts, by 2025, the implementation of the State Program for Employment Promotion will reach 113%, and 148,000 people will utilize the services of labor authorities.
However, Russia remains the primary destination for Tajik migrants. According to the data from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, from January to September of last year, 1.2 million citizens of Tajikistan entered the country, although this figure has decreased compared to previous years.
The economic contribution of migrants to Tajikistan is significant: experts estimate that in the first nine months of 2023, remittances from abroad increased by 50%. In 2024, such remittances will account for 45.4% of the country's gross domestic product, which is the highest rate in the world.
Authorities also recognize the role of workers abroad. For example, the chairman of the Local Development Committee, Kamolidin Muminzoda, reported that last year, with the funds from migrants, 288 facilities were built in Tajikistan worth over 188 million somoni (more than 20 million dollars), including sports grounds, kindergartens, schools, canteens, and hotels, as well as the repair of roads and other infrastructure facilities.
