Millions of rubles in unpaid wages returned to Tajik migrants in Russia

In the first 10 months of 2026, Tajik migrants in Russia were refunded over 32.5 million rubles (about 405 thousand dollars) in unpaid wages.

This was reported on November 2 by the representative office of the Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan in Russia. According to the representative office, these funds were returned to migrants as a result of negotiations with enterprises and organizations in Russia. Additionally, with the assistance of the representative office, more than 9,000 citizens of Tajikistan secured permanent employment in Russia this year.

The announcement came amid reports in August that the representative office noted an increase in cases of unpaid wages to Tajik labor migrants compared to the same period in 2025.

The main reasons cited include the absence of a written employment contract, employment through intermediaries, informal employment, particularly in cleaning companies, and the untimely appeal of migrants for the protection of their rights.

The representative office recommended that citizens sign a written employment contract with their employer and keep the original. Job seekers can find employment and receive free legal advice by contacting the ministry’s representative office in Russia.

The returned 32.5 million rubles may only be a part of the total debt owed by employers to Tajik migrants in Russia. Not all migrants know where to turn for the protection of their rights. Some do not report their employers due to fear of potential consequences.

Previously, the protection of the rights of Tajik labor migrants was handled by civil activists and diaspora leaders. In particular, Karamat Sharipov, the head of the all-Russian movement “Tajik Labor Migrants,” always assisted his compatriots in labor disputes and other issues. In 2017, Russia stripped him of his citizenship and deported him to Tajikistan. Sharipov died in Tajikistan in 2020.

Another well-known advocate for the rights of labor migrants was Izzat Amon, who led the rights protection center “Tajikis” in Moscow. The center provided legal assistance to migrants and helped with employment and document processing. In March 2021, Izzat Amon was deported from Russia to Tajikistan and was detained immediately upon arrival. In October of the same year, he was sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of fraud. In June 2022, another fraud case was considered, and Izzat Amon received an additional six years. His relatives and supporters called these charges unfounded and linked his persecution to his human rights activities.