Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev approved Uzbek-Russian intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in the sphere of labor migration.

The first agreement concerns organized recruitment and employment of citizens of Uzbekistan for temporary work in the territory of the Russian Federation.

The second agreement stipulates establishment of offices of the competent authorities of the two countries in the field of migration.

The documents were signed in early April during Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Moscow on April 4-5.

Mirziyoyev instructed the Uzbek Foreign Ministry to send a relevant notice to the Russian side on the republic's compliance with the domestic procedures necessary for the entry into force of this international treaty.

Many young and middle-aged people in Central Asian states, particularly Uzbekistan prefer working abroad over working or continuing their studies at home. They also follow the example of relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances who have earned enough money from working abroad to buy or build their own homes, cars and other essentials.

Russia offers visa-free entry for the citizens of Uzbekistan. Once in Russia, they have 30 days in which to locate employment and obtain a work patent.

Currently, about three million people (almost a third of the able-bodied population) live on earnings outside of Uzbekistan, including about two million citizens of Uzbekistan in Russia.

It is expected that the entry into force of agreements between Uzbekistan and Russia on labor migration issues will contribute to the security and tranquility of the citizens of the republic working in Russia.

As of January 20, 2015, 2.2 million Uzbek citizens stay in Russia, of which 81% percent is of working-age population, according to Russia’s Federal Migration Service.

The Russian Federation is one of the largest trade partners of Uzbekistan while Uzbekistan occupies the fourth place among the CIS countries on volumes of trade turnover for Russia.

In 2016 the trade turnover between the two states, according to the Ministry of Foreign Economic Relations, Investments and Trade of Uzbekistan amounted to $4.2 billion.

As many as 961 enterprises with the participation of Russian investments, including 810 joint ventures and 151 enterprises with one hundred percent Russian capital were established in Uzbekistan. The country has accredited representatives of 64 Russian enterprises and companies.

Some 569 enterprises with the participation of residents of Uzbekistan were established on the territory of the Russian Federation.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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