Mirziyoyev orders overhaul of labour migration: 'We need quality, not numbers'
At a 2 November meeting the president ordered better public awareness of overseas jobs, a migration centre in every region, and vocational and German-language training for young people; Germany requested 45,000 specialists but hired only 2,000.
On 2 November President Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a meeting on labour migration — overseas employment, vocational training and coordination between government agencies and local communities. According to the Presidential Press Service, he ordered a reform of the migration system and a shift from quantity to quality in sending workers abroad.
287,000 jobs, but low awareness
The meeting heard that there are opportunities to place 287,000 people in jobs across 34 countries this year. However, citizens are not sufficiently aware of these opportunities and coordination between the Migration Agency and the 'Mahalla Seven' has not been effective. The president ordered that information on every vacancy — which country needs which specialist, what training and which language are required — reach every mahalla.
The Germany example: 45,000 requested, 2,000 placed
Germany requested 45,000 specialists from Uzbekistan this year, but only 2,000 were hired, with a lack of German-language skills identified as the main obstacle. In cooperation with Germany's Globogate, 1,500 nurses are trained annually at 20 medical colleges. The president ordered that German be taught to young people the same way as English and that vocational-school curricula be aligned with foreign employers' requirements.
A migration centre in every region
Next year a single migration centre will open in every region, each receiving UZS 8bn (about $663,854). In 2027, 10,000 people are to be trained in vocational skills and German and placed in jobs in Germany; 500 native German speakers will be recruited to teach at schools and colleges, and the state-funded quota for training German-language teachers in higher education will double.
Placement moves to private agencies
From 2027 overseas job placement will be fully transferred to reliable private agencies, which will receive an incentive of UZS 1.5m for each citizen placed in a well-paid job. Over the two years since licensing was simplified, the number of private employment agencies tripled and placements through them rose fivefold. Regional governors will review results monthly, district governors twice a month.
Official statement
Therefore, we will reform this system. In migration, we need quality, not just numbers!
— Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan
