Central Asian migrant workers increasingly look to Europe over Russia

The traditional flow of labour migration from Central Asia is undergoing a gradual shift, with more workers from the region seeking opportunities in the European Union rather than in Russia, according to a Russian researcher.

Lyubov Bisson, a senior researcher at the Institute of Europe of the Russian Academy of Sciences said that while Russia remains the primary destination for Central Asian migrants, its dominance has weakened compared to five years ago, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media. 

Bisson noted that demand for labor from Central Asia is rising across parts of Europe, with mutual interest driving the trend. Countries such as Poland, Lithuania, Romania, and Bulgaria are among the most common entry points for migrants from the region.

Many workers initially settle in these Eastern European countries before moving further west in search of higher wages and better economic opportunities, she added.

By Sabina Mammadli