Number of migrant workers returning to Uzbekistan in 2026 exceeds 1.1 million

By the end of the year, the task has been set to find suitable jobs for 250,000 returnees. According to the press secretary, among them are individuals who gained experience in Russia, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the United Kingdom in agriculture, construction, industry, logistics, and the service sector. The president noted that specialists who worked at large foreign enterprises and mastered modern technologies can also be useful to domestic companies. Therefore, khokims and industry leaders were instructed to select suitable vacancies for returnees and utilize their professional skills.

To facilitate employment, plans are underway to create an information platform containing details on where a person worked abroad, what professions they mastered, and their foreign work experience. It is intended to connect it to a system accessible to industry leaders and khokims so that qualifications are taken into account when selecting positions at local enterprises. Those who decide to start their own business should be provided with consultations and conditions for entrepreneurship.

The report does not specify how many of the returnees have already found jobs. Back in late September, presenting a report to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, Minister of Employment and Poverty Reduction Botir Zakhidov cited figures for the first half of 2026: at that time, 661,000 migrants had returned, 557,000 of whom were engaged in income-generating activities. As Gazeta.uz notes, this figure covers various forms of such activity and does not necessarily mean permanent employment under a labor contract. The minister also spoke of plans to provide employment for another 70,000 people, taking their preferences into account.