Uzbeks in Russia

Uzbeks represent a large diaspora in Russia, numbering 1.9 million (January, 2016). Most of the Uzbeks living in Russia are seasonal migrant workers. Most of them have come after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Due to racial and cultural differences, they are one of the most discriminated-against minorities in Russia, and hence rarely settle outside of the Russian capital, Moscow.[3]

Uzbeks in Russia
Total population
300,000–2,000,000[1]
Regions with significant populations
Moscow35,595 - Unknown
Languages
Uzbek · Russian
Religion
Predominantly Sunni Islam[2]
Related ethnic groups
Other Turkic peoples

Population

There has been dispute on the actual population of Uzbeks in Russia, with estimates varying from 300,000 (Russian census 2010) to over two million.[4] There has been a decline in numbers since 2015 due to the Russian recession, as most migrants cannot find jobs with a decent salary, and because of that choose to work in other countries such as South Korea.

Religion

Most Uzbek labour migrants are Sunni Muslims, with some long-term workers converting to Eastern Orthodoxy through missionaries.[5]

Discrimination

Racism in the Russian media, such as in this 2014 news article, has exacerbated racism against Uzbeks.[6] Because of this, Uzbek migrants (along with Kyrgyz, Azeris and Tajiks) face violence, discrimination, xenophobia and humiliation.[7] In 2013, there were riots against Uzbeks by ethnic Russians in many Russian cities.[8] Racially motivated murders of Uzbeks have occurred.[9] In order to make life easier for Uzbek migrants, Russian authorities have put Uzbek translations in some places.[10] While racial violence against Uzbeks has drastically decreased in recent years, Uzbeks have faced difficulties as migrant laborers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and many have been stuck in facilities for migrants.[11][12][13]

While racism against Kazakhs and Azeris has been very diminished, Uzbeks still face discrimination.[14] In general, among Central Asians and Caucasians, Armenians, Azeris, Georgians, Kazakhs, and Turkmen are seen in a positive light, while Uzbeks, Tajiks, and Kyrgyz people are seen negatively.

See also

References
  1. "Uzbeks". ScienceDirect. 19 May 2016.
  2. "Missionaries to set up Orthodox communities of migrants in Moscow".
  3. "Uzbekistan: Labor Migrants Looking Beyond Russia".
  4. "Eastern promises: why migrant workers are turning their backs on Russia". The Guardian. 19 May 2016.
  5. "Missionaries to set up Orthodox communities of migrants in Moscow".
  6. "Immigrants will for half of the Russian population in 2050 Experts Say".
  7. "US concerned for Non - Slavs in Russia".
  8. "Why Russia Is growing more Xenophobic". The Atlantic. 22 October 2013.
  9. "Azerbaijani, Uzbek Men Found Dead In Moscow". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  10. "Moscow Metro Adds Tajik, Uzbek Language Signs in Migrant Centers". The Moscow Times. 2021-09-15. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  11. Gershkovich, Evan (2020-09-28). "Six Months Into Pandemic, Migrant Workers in Russia Live in Makeshift Camps as They Wait to Go Home". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  12. ""Тут и беременные есть, где рожать они будут — на земле?"". Новая газета - Novayagazeta.ru (in Russian). 26 January 1970. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  13. "Как живут мигранты из Узбекистана в лагерях на российской границе, застрявшие там из-за коронавируса". Настоящее Время (in Russian). 24 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-09-26.
  14. "Kazakhs Who Returned From Russia and the Reasons They Moved to Kazakhstan". weproject.media (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-09-26.
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