The flow of Uzbek work migrants to Russia is expected to dwindle in the coming years, according to a report by Kommersant citing Alisher Ruziev, head of Uzbekistan’s Agency for External Labour Migration.

Speaking at a video conference addressing labour migration issues, Ruziev highlighted a burgeoning construction sector in Uzbekistan that now offers competitive wages comparable to those found in Russian construction projects.

"There is a construction boom in Uzbekistan, and our wages are on par with some construction projects in Russia... Our citizens may stop going to Russia," Ruziev said.

Ruziev pointed out that workers in Uzbekistan are earning approximately $500-600 monthly at major construction sites, making the prospect of migrating to Russia less financially attractive.

"It is no longer profitable to go to Russia for such wages," he said.

Moreover, Ruziev noted a significant diversification in the destinations for Uzbek labour over the past two years—as reported by bne IntelliNews in February—attributing this shift to heightened demand for workers across Europe.

Echoing this sentiment, Sherzod Asadov, press secretary to the president of Uzbekistan, revealed a drastic reduction in Uzbek labour migration to Russia recorded over the past eight years.

The number of Uzbek labour migrants in Russia has decreased from 4mn–6mn to around 1mn, he said.

In May, Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's government introduced a fresh regulatory framework aimed at improving the management of labour migration, enhancing state assistance for unskilled workers and guiding job seekers towards higher-paying opportunities beyond Russia.