International Organization for Migration in Cooperation with the Sharq Scientific Research Center LABOUR MIGRATION FROM TAJIKISTAN July 2003 Saodat Olimova Igor Bosc 1 The Geneva-based International Organization for Migration (IOM) is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. As an intergovernmental body, IOM acts with its partners in the international community to assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration, advance understanding of migration issues, encourage social and economic development through migration, and work towards effective respect of the human dignity and well- being of migrants. This publication has been made possible through funding by IOM in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission in Kazakhstan accredited to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the United States Department of State. Published by: Mission of the International Organization for Migration 5, Zakarie Rozi str. Dushanbe, 734003 Republic of Tajikistan Tel.: +992 372. 21 03 02 Fax: +992 372. 51 00 62 E-mail: [email protected] ISBN 92-9068-163-2 © 2003 International Organization for Migration (IOM) All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher. The views expressed in this publication are the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of IOM or the Delegation of the European Commission in Kazakhstan accredited to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan and the United States Department of State. 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors wish to express their deep appreciation for the assistance provided by Prof. Muzafar Olimov, Dr. Adolat Sakhibova, Prof. Azizullo Avezov, Boron Saidaliyev, Fayzali Shafatov, Saidanvar Shkhumurov, Mokhina Mirzoyeva, Nazar Chorshanbiyev, Khakimali Makhmudov, Kiemeddin Sattori and Eradj Ramazanov. We are also grateful for the information, editing, recommendations and technical assistance we received from Cara Michelle Morris, editor; Aziza Sindarova, Programme Assistant, IOM Tajikistan; Vasiliy Yujanin, Project Coordinator, IOM Kazakhstan; Lyudmila Orlova, Senior Research Officer, Scientific and Research Institute of Pedagogical Science, Tajikistan; Mirzo Mavlonov, National Bank of Tajikistan; Alisher Babadjanov, Oriyonbank, Tajikistan; Negmatullo Rakhimov, Agroinvestbank, Tajikistan; and Mirzodavlat Saburov, Chairman of the Tajik community in Magnitogorsk, Russia. We thank all the migrant workers who were interviewed for this report for their immensely valuable cooperation. Last but not least, we extend our sincere gratitude to the staff of the Isfara hukumat and the Isfara Union of Veterans of the Afghan War for helping to arrange the research. 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...........................................................................................................................................3 FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................................................................7 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................8 1.1 DEFINITION OF TERMS .....................................................................................................................................8 1.2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY .........................................................................................................................10 1.3 LABOUR MIGRATION BEFORE 1990.............................................................................................................11 1.4 THE ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC CONTEXT.....................................................................................12 1.5 THE LABOUR MARKET IN TAJIKISTAN ......................................................................................................13 1.6 MIGRATION DYNAMICS IN TAJIKISTAN AND THE REGION..................................................................17 1.7 LABOUR MIGRATION IN STATISTICS..........................................................................................................20 1.8 DESTINATIONS .................................................................................................................................................22 2. PROFILE OF TAJIK MIGRANT WORKERS ....................................................................................................26 2.1 AGE......................................................................................................................................................................26 2.2 GENDER..............................................................................................................................................................27 2.3 EDUCATION.......................................................................................................................................................28 2.4 EMPLOYMENT ..................................................................................................................................................30 2.5 LANGUAGE SKILLS .........................................................................................................................................31 2.6 GEOGRAPHIC AND ETHNIC ORIGIN ............................................................................................................32 2.7 CHARACTERISTICS OF MIGRANTS’ HOUSEHOLDS.................................................................................33 2.8 DURATION OF STAY ABROAD......................................................................................................................34 2.9 CONCLUSIONS ..................................................................................................................................................34 3. TYPES OF LABOUR MIGRATION .....................................................................................................................36 3.1 HIRED WORKERS .............................................................................................................................................36 3.2 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS...........................................................................................................................41 3.3 COMMERCIAL MIGRATION (SHUTTLES)....................................................................................................45 3.4 AGRICULTURAL MIGRATION ..................................................................................................................................55 3.5 MIGRATION OF MUSLIM CLERGY ....................................................................................................................55 4. LABOUR MIGRATION NETWORKS .................................................................................................................56 4.1 AVLOD, THE BASIC ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT...................................................................................................56 4.2 ETHNOREGIONAL SOLIDARITY.............................................................................................................................58 4.3 STATE-REGULATED LABOUR MIGRATION ...............................................................................................61 4.4 INTERACTING NETWORKS ............................................................................................................................63 5. MIGRATION LAWS IN RECEIVING COUNTRIES.........................................................................................65 5.1 REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.......................................................................................................................65 5.2 LABOUR MIGRATION LAWS..........................................................................................................................68 5.3 RELATIONS WITH THE POLICE ...........................................................................................................................72 6. VULNERABILITY TO ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION....................................................................................76 6.1 VULNERABILITY FACTORS .................................................................................................................................76 6.2. THE ROLE OF INTERMEDIARIES...................................................................................................................77 6.3 IDENTITY CHECKS BY CORRUPT OFFICIALS ............................................................................................................77 6.4 TRANSPORT PROBLEMS.................................................................................................................................81 6.5 EXPLOITATION BY EMPLOYERS.......................................................................................................................84 6.6 VICTIMS OF RACKETEERING...........................................................................................................................87 7. HEALTH CONDITIONS OF MIGRANT WORKERS .......................................................................................90 4 7.1 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS...................................................................................................................................90