International Labour Migration in the Context of the Eurasian Economic Union: Issues and Challenges of Kyrgyz Migrants in Russia

Integration of the Kyrgyz Republic into the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the resulting socioeconomic impacts are amongst contemporary Kyrgyzstan’s most acute and hotly debated topics. This paper is focused on international labour migration and describes the situation of Kyrgyz labour migrants in light of their new legal status in Russia. The objective of this work is to provide a deeper and more holistic understanding of the contemporary issues and challenges confronted by Kyrgyz migrant workers in Russia. Specific consideration is extended to an analysis of the impact of the recent Russian economic crisis on Kyrgyz labour migration, and the mitigating role played by the EAEU for Kyrgyz workers. This paper also highlights the importance for Kyrgyz labour migrants to educate themselves about their new legal rights in relation to Kyrgyzstan’s Accession Status in the EAEU, and more generally the need for further study on the evolving socioeconomic realities of Kyrgyz labour migrants abroad.