Will labor migration change direction?

In the future, Tajik migrants may increasingly seek employment in Germany instead of Russia.

Tajikistan and Germany are expanding cooperation in the training of skilled workers and creating conditions for legal labor migration.

A delegation headed by the Minister of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population, Soleh Khomakhmadzoda, and the Chairman of the Committee for Initial and Secondary Vocational Education, Farhod Rakhimi, made a working visit to the Federal Republic of Germany from July 14 to 18, 2025.

During the visit, the parties agreed on the training of Tajik citizens for education and employment in Germany. The German side expressed its readiness to provide specialized modules for learning the German language and to organize short-term courses for German language teachers.

The delegation held official negotiations with representatives of the German state of Bavaria. The prospects for bilateral cooperation in the fields of employment, workforce training, and the exchange of best practices were discussed.

The Tajik delegation also held talks with the management of TELC GmbH, the developer of international language exams.

As a result of the negotiations, the parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan and TELC GmbH.

The document provides for cooperation in the field of vocational education, language training, and ensuring that Tajik specialists meet the modern requirements of the European labor market. It is expected that the implementation of the agreement will provide Tajik citizens access to the labor market in Germany.

Currently, hundreds of thousands of Tajik migrants are working in Russia and facing difficulties. Recently, there have been increasing instances of pressure from Russian security forces, detentions, deportations, and work restrictions.

Tajik authorities intend to expand cooperation with European countries, including Germany, thereby creating alternative migration pathways to reduce the dependence of labor migrants on Russia.

At the same time, experts believe that an effective way to address the migration crisis is to create jobs in the country. According to them, the Tajik authorities should develop industry, create new production enterprises, and ensure decent wages to create conditions for a dignified life and work for their citizens at home.