The governments of Russia and Tajikistan have introduced significant amendments to their 2019 agreement on the organized recruitment of Tajik citizens for temporary labor in Russia. The updated document includes six key changes aimed at improving the safety, legality, and digital infrastructure of labor migration between the two countries.
1. Safer, dignified employment now a priority
For the first time, the preamble of the agreement states both countries’ commitment to encouraging organized labor migration and ensuring Tajik workers access legal, safe, and dignified employment in Russia. In return, Russia seeks to receive skilled labor to meet market demand.
2. Unified digital platform and updated definitions
Article 2 has been revised to:
- Designate Russia’s official job portal "Work in Russia" as the platform for posting job vacancies and employer information;
- Introduce new terms such as “Russian medical organization” and “authorized Russian organization” to oversee recruitment;
- Include a provision for training qualified personnel.
3. Russia’s Ministry of Education joins the process
Russia’s Ministry of Education is now officially involved under Article 3. It will oversee vocational and professional training for migrants both in Tajikistan and Russia, allowing workers to improve their skills before departure and increasing their chances of legal employment.
4. Fingerprinting, background checks, and language training
The most significant changes appear in Article 4: fingerprinting and photographing of Tajik applicants will now occur in Tajikistan, with data transferred to Russia; Tajikistan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs will conduct criminal background checks; and pre-departure training in Russian language, history, and laws will be conducted under official Russian programs.
Additionally, Russian organizations will be allowed to conduct recruitment directly in Tajikistan in coordination with the Tajik Ministry of Labor.
5. Medical exams before arrival
Under the updated Article 5, medical examinations can now be conducted by accredited Russian medical facilities operating in Tajikistan. This means migrants can arrive in Russia with completed health documents, expediting the hiring process and reducing strain on Russian systems.
6. Stronger oversight of employers
Changes to Article 12 now hold employers accountable not just for labor violations, but also for breaches of migration law. Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has been added as an official partner to strengthen oversight and maintain legal order.
Expert opinion
Vladimir Volokh, a member of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Public Council and professor at the State University of Management, told rahmat.ru that these changes are long overdue and will simplify legal employment for Tajik citizens. “The decision to allow medical examinations in Tajikistan is particularly sound. Migrants should arrive with a full set of documents and be ready to work. This speeds up the process and benefits everyone involved,” he said.
Volokh also emphasized that enforcement is key: “The agreement was signed years ago but faced delays in implementation. Now, clear execution is crucial. Establishing offices of Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tajikistan — and vice versa — could ensure better coordination and oversight.”
