Recent Developments in Tajikistan
Tajikistan has been in the spotlight recently due to a series of events involving migrant workers and security concerns.
Detention of Suspects
Tajikistan detained nine individuals this week on suspicion of having connections to a mass shooting and the militant Islamist State group. The suspects include four Tajik citizens and seven others from the ex-Soviet Central Asian nation.
Impact of Recent Attacks
Following a concert hall attack near Moscow on March 22 that resulted in dozens of casualties, there has been a significant increase in migrant workers returning from Russia to Tajikistan. The attack, considered the worst in Russia in two decades, left at least 144 people dead.
Labour Migration Trends
The Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment in Tajikistan has reported a surge in calls from citizens expressing fear and panic, leading to a desire to leave Russia. The outflow of migrants may exacerbate a labor shortage in Russia, particularly in the construction industry.
- Labour shortage in Russia’s construction industry expected to grow by 36% in 2023 compared to 2022.
- 652,014 labour migrants left Russia in 2023, down from 775,578 in 2022, according to Tajikistan’s labour ministry.
