Türkiye and Central Asian nations are shifting toward organized labor mobility to address economic needs and improve employment conditions for migrants.
Key facts
- •Remittances to Uzbekistan reached $18.9 billion in 2025, a 28% increase from the previous year.
- •The OECD's 2025 economic survey identified digital skill gaps and occupational shortages in the Turkish labor market.
- •A new working group under the Organisation of Turkic States is prioritizing digital employment services and portable social protection.
- •Proposed policy shifts aim to replace informal migration with verified job vacancies and pre-departure training.
Central Asian workers are increasingly seeking employment in Türkiye as an alternative to traditional markets like Russia. This shift is supported by recent bilateral agreements and regional initiatives aimed at formalizing labor migration, addressing skill shortages in the Turkish economy, and fostering economic development across the Turkic region.
By the numbers
Economic Drivers and Migration Trends
Türkiye's diverse economy faces structural challenges, including an ageing population and specific skill shortages in sectors such as construction, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Meanwhile, Central Asian countries possess a young, growing labor force seeking safe employment. In 2025, 393,829 people moved to Türkiye, with foreign nationals accounting for 301,877 of those arrivals. Turkmen citizens represented 23.4% of these foreign arrivals, while Uzbek citizens accounted for 6.9%.
Formalizing Labor Mobility
Current migration patterns often rely on informal intermediaries, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation and fraud. To address this, Türkiye and Uzbekistan signed agreements in January 2026 to centralize job vacancy data through the Turkish Employment Agency (IŞKUR) and the Migration Agency of Uzbekistan. Additionally, starting March 1, 2026, Uzbek citizens who have lived in Türkiye for at least three years will be eligible for work permits.
Regional Cooperation Efforts
In December 2025, the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) held its first meeting of ministers for labor and social protection. A newly formed working group is focusing on vocational training, migration governance, and the recognition of qualifications. The goal is to move beyond individual bilateral efforts toward a broader regional partnership that facilitates skill development and circular migration.
Timeline
- December 2025The Organisation of Turkic States held its first meeting of ministers for labor and social protection.
- January 2026Türkiye and Uzbekistan signed new agreements to centralize labor migration data.
- March 1, 2026Eligible Uzbek citizens who have lived in Türkiye for three years become entitled to obtain work permits.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Daily Sabah.
