About the Migration Governance Indicators
About the Migration Governance Indicators
Migrants' rights
Migrants' rights

Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.

Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.

Whole of government approach
Whole of government approach

Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.

Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.

Partnerships
Partnerships

This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.

Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.

Well-being of migrants
Well-being of migrants

This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.

Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.

Mobility dimensions of crises
Mobility dimensions of crises

This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.

Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.

Safe, orderly and regular migration
Safe, orderly and regular migration

This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.

Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.

Key findings
Introduction

This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of the Republic of Uzbekistan (hereafter referred to as Uzbekistan) migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.

Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.

The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States. 

Key findings
Migrants' rights

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Migrants in Uzbekistan, regardless of status, have the same access as citizens to government-funded emergency health-care services, free of charge.
  • All migrants with a regular status have equal access to social protection as nationals.
  • Foreign nationals and stateless persons may apply for citizenship in Uzbekistan after five years of legal and continuous residence in the country.
  • Citizens residing abroad are able to vote by registering with embassies and consulates. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Migrants do not have the same status as citizens in accessing government-funded primary, secondary or vocational education.
  • The conditions for acquiring an indefinite residency permit are not clearly defined.
  • All migrants, except those with a permanent residency status, require a work permit to access employment.
Key findings
Whole of government approach

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations develops and implements policy relating to Uzbekistan’s citizens working abroad. 
  • The Department for the Protection of the Rights of Citizens of the Republic of Uzbekistan Engaged in Temporary Labour Activity Abroad and International Economic Cooperation implements programmes to protect citizens working abroad, as well as ensure the well-being of those remaining in Uzbekistan when their family members go to work abroad.
  • Uzbekistan regularly publishes migration data.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • There is no single designated department or agency responsible for designing and coordinating the implementation of an overall migration policy.
  • Uzbekistan does not have a national migration strategy.
  • Uzbekistan has a mechanism for interministerial coordination only on issues related to citizens working abroad. 
Key findings
Partnerships

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Uzbekistan is a member of the Prague Process, a regional consultative process which covers 50 states in Eurasia.
  • In 2019, Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan which allows Uzbek citizens with “moderate proficiency” in Japanese and relevant work experience to seek work in Japan. 
  • The Presidential Decree on Measures to Further Improve the State Policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan towards Cooperation with Compatriots Living Abroad (2018) details measures on diaspora engagement. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Uzbekistan formally engages civil society organizations and the private sector in agenda-setting and the implementation of migration-related issues, but only on an ad hoc basis.
  • Uzbekistan is not part of a regional organization promoting labour mobility.
Key findings
Well-being of migrants

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • There are different types of visa to attract specific labour skills.
  • Uzbekistan has formalized criteria for recognizing foreign qualifications.
  • Uzbekistan has measures in place to promote ethical recruitment of migrant workers.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Uzbekistan has limited capacity to monitor labour market demand for immigrants and the effects of emigrants on the domestic labour market.
  • The Labour Code (1996) contains provisions on gender equality in general, but it does not address gender equality among migrants.
Key findings
Mobility dimensions of crises

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • Uzbekistan has measures in place to assist nationals living abroad in times of crisis, such as evacuation, medical or material assistance. 
  • There are measures in place to make exceptions to the immigration procedures for migrants whose country of origin is experiencing crisis.
  • Citizens may voluntarily register with embassies and consulates, which keep records of them.

Areas with potential for further development 

  • Uzbekistan does not have a strategy with specific measures to provide assistance to migrants before, during or after crises in the country.
  • The communication system to disseminate information in times of crises does not take into consideration the specific vulnerabilities that migrants face.
  • Uzbekistan’s national development strategies do not address the reintegration of returning migrants.
Key findings
Safe, orderly and regular migration

Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas

  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a webpage – available in Uzbek, Russian and English – that clearly outlines visa options and the general rules for entering the country. 
  • The Presidential Decree on Measures to Further Improve the State Policy towards Cooperation with Compatriots Living Abroad (2018) aims to attract highly qualified citizens of Uzbekistan living abroad.
  • The Regulation on the Procedure for Attracting and Employing Foreign Labour in the Republic of Uzbekistan (2019) contains provisions to protect migrant workers from exploitation. 

Areas with potential for further development 

  • The Law on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings does not make any reference to identifying migrants in vulnerable situations or providing them with referral or protection services.
  • Uzbekistan does not publish information about its counter-trafficking activities.
  • Border troops receive limited training on migration issues, which covers content related to cultural and gender aspects. 

2022 June

Migration Governance Profile: The Republic of Uzbekistan