Uzbekistan introduces measures against deported labor migrants

A new procedure will be introduced for the return of Uzbek citizens who were sent abroad for work in an organized manner but were later deported for violating the laws of the host country. This initiative, which includes recovering associated return costs, is outlined in the government resolution “On Additional Measures to Improve Labor Migration Processes,” adopted on May 13.

According to the resolution, the following measures will apply to citizens deported for violating the legislation of foreign states while working abroad:

- If a deported citizen is returned at the expense of the Migration Fund, the associated costs will be recovered from the individual;
- Any subsidies or compensations previously provided from the Migration Fund will also be subject to recovery;
- Deportees will be temporarily barred—up to one year—from participating in organized labor migration to developed countries.

Citizens may be returned to Uzbekistan based on:

- Their own applications submitted to Uzbek diplomatic missions and consular offices abroad;
- Applications from themselves or their close relatives to missions or territorial branches of the Migration Agency;
- Information received from the competent authorities of foreign countries regarding their deportation.

The state finances the return of deported citizens, covering transportation costs. Once a citizen's request for financial assistance is approved, a loan agreement is signed between the Migration Agency and the applicant within one business day. Under this agreement, the recipient must reimburse the provided funds within 30 days.

It is worth recalling that under the same resolution, it was earlier announced that citizens who are readmitted—those voluntarily or forcibly returned to Uzbekistan under international agreements—will not be eligible for biometric passports for travel abroad for a period of two years.