Information Needs Assessment Study of Intending and Returning Migrants in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan

The Information Needs Assessment Study was conducted under the EU-funded Project PROTECT on “Improving Migration Management and Migrant Protection in Selected Silk Routes and Central Asian Countries”. During the period from August to September, 2024 nine FGDs and nine semi-structured interviews with intending and returning migrants were conducted in 6 locations of Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan as well as 5 key informants’ interviews with experts and state servants working in the area of migration.

The analysis of the interviews conducted and the data collected allows for drawing the following conclusions:

1. The profile of Kyrgyz and Uzbek nationals seeking migration information predominantly includes individuals aged 20 to 40+, many of whom are married and possess either General Secondary (10-11 grades) or Secondary Technical (vocational school) education. A significant portion of this group is unemployed, making them more susceptible to the pressures and risks associated with labour migration. Additionally, young people from rural areas and children from orphanages are at heightened risk, and women are at risk for sexual exploitation. Furthermore, individuals who have faced the challenges of climate change, particularly those from ecologically vulnerable areas, often require fast migration labour opportunities, further exposing them to the risks of exploitation and trafficking.
2. The information needs of labour migrants vary depending on their stage in the migration process: pre-departure, during migration, and post-return. Migrants from rural regions often lack crucial information on pre-departure procedures, increasing their vulnerability to issues such as legal complications and unpaid wages. Additionally, many returnees face challenges in finding help with employment or investment opportunities upon their return. Gender-specific needs also emerged, particularly for women who require additional information on healthcare services, schools, and climate conditions in destination countries. 
3. Labour migrants in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan often rely on trusted sources such as family members and close friends for information about job opportunities, particularly in the Russian Federation. Many migrants prefer to receive information through informal networks, believing that relatives and friends, who have firsthand experience, are more reliable than formal sources. However, these trusted connections can also lead migrants into irregular migration channels, as they may unintentionally share outdated or incomplete information. The increasing use of digital communication platforms, such as Telegram and WhatsApp, has become a preferred means of communication among migrants. Television can also play a vital role in reaching remote or underserved populations, ensuring that migrants without access to smartphones or social media still receive crucial migration-related information.