“Don’t go to Russia — They will beat and humiliate you,” – Sherzodkhan Kudratkhodja

“Boys, girls, don’t go to Russia — they will beat you, kick you, and insult you. In Russia, you are not respected; on the contrary, you are trampled on. Yet you’re doing the hardest jobs — the ones even your own people won’t do — and this is the ‘reward’ you get in return,” wrote Sherzodkhan Kudratkhodja, Rector of the University of Journalism and Mass Communications of Uzbekistan, in a recent post on his Facebook page.

Kudratkhodja attached a video to his post showing recent raids conducted against migrants in Moscow, highlighting the aggressive actions of law enforcement toward labor migrants. He noted that Uzbekistan, whose population grows by nearly one million annually, is compelled to export labor to other countries. Nevertheless, he urged the public to consider alternatives to Russia.

“About a million people are born in Uzbekistan every year. Naturally, it is difficult for our economy to provide steady employment to such a large number. This challenge also exists in other developing countries. When population growth accelerates, labor export becomes inevitable. But to our youth — boys and girls — I say: do not go to Russia. There, you will be beaten, kicked, and insulted. You are not valued; instead, you are degraded. And even while taking on the most difficult tasks that locals refuse to do, you receive this kind of ‘reward’ in return!

Brothers, friends, educate yourselves, learn foreign languages, acquire trades. Countries like Germany, the UAE, Japan, and South Korea are waiting for you,” the rector added.

According to Kudratkhodja, those who failed in school or did not acquire professional skills often choose to work in Russia, where they are relegated to the hardest and most degrading jobs. Yet these sacrifices go unnoticed by Russian society and government officials — even as Russia itself faces labor shortages and wages war abroad.

“While Russian oligarchs effortlessly move their wealth abroad, our Karakoz \[a term used for labor migrants] earn every ruble through backbreaking labor. But it makes no difference to them!

Just listen to the slurs: ‘monkey,’ ‘s**ka,’ ‘baran,’ ‘chern**opy,’ ‘churka’… These are heartbreaking to hear. Truly painful,” he said.

Citing various examples, Kudratkhodja noted that such mistreatment is not applied to all migrants. For instance, Chechens and Dagestanis often receive different treatment.

“It’s true — life is precious, and we tolerate humiliation to fill our stomachs and keep the pot boiling. But that doesn’t make it right. Remember: in 1914–1916, during the early protests, Uzbeks were humiliated by Tsarist Russia.

The world is becoming increasingly globalized. First and foremost, I would ask our people — even if it is uncomfortable to say — to consider limiting birth rates. Instead, we must prioritize the education, upbringing, and future of our children. Not just through words, but through action.”

Kudratkhodja recalled being heavily criticized when he previously spoke out against labor migration to Russia. “At that time, some so-called ‘patriots’ and others from our own homeland threw metaphorical stones at me. But I kept silent and endured. I was deeply affected by the suffering of our people. If our boys are being humiliated in a foreign land and we can’t protect them… Let them come back. Why don’t they stay in our sunny, hospitable, and tolerant homeland?” he asked.

The rector also pointed out a recent trend: laborers from countries such as India and Bangladesh are now coming to Uzbekistan to take on agricultural and other difficult jobs.

“Even with wages of five to six million soums, our own men don’t want to do these jobs,” he said.

Kudratkhodja emphasized that his words apply not only to Uzbeks but also to Kazakh, Kyrgyz, and Tajik brothers. “The Russian security services are increasingly barbaric. Recruitment into so-called ‘special military operations’ is intensifying. Many who refuse to go to war are quitting their jobs, and this has led to a growing reliance on labor migrants. Today, the only real condition for obtaining Russian citizenship is a willingness to die for the imperial double-headed eagle. This is what fuels their anger.”

The rector also reminded readers of the Uzbek people’s significant contribution to the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II. “Uzbek cotton, bread, gold, and uranium sustained the USSR. We welcomed children from 14 nationalities — many of them Russian — with open arms.”

“Today’s Russia claims to fight Nazism in Ukraine, but in reality, the behavior of its officers reflects nothing but Nazism and chauvinism.”

According to data provided earlier this year by Uzbekistan’s Foreign Labor Migration Agency, more than 1.3 million Uzbeks are officially registered as labor migrants abroad, with over 600,000 in Russia. Unofficial estimates, however, suggest that more than 3 million Uzbeks have left the country due to economic hardship, and at least 1.5 million are currently working in Russia.

In recent years, Russia has taken an increasingly harsh stance toward labor migrants — especially those from Central Asia. Restrictions are growing. Beginning June 30 of this year, citizens of visa-free countries must submit an electronic entry application before arriving in Russia. Those who fail to comply will be denied entry.