European Union face potential workforce expansion as Uzbekistan pursues broader opportunities for labor migrants
Uzbekistan and the Netherlands are reportedly considering an expansion of an existing agreement with Germany, under which Tashkent accepts Afghanistan's rejected asylum seekers, in exchange for a rise in quotas for skilled Uzbek guest workers.
Central to the discussions was the Afghan-asylum seekers-for-guest-workers arrangement, which was a focal point during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to Uzbekistan in September. According to a report by the Dutch news outlet, NL Times, Dutch officials are in "early discussions" with their Uzbek counterparts on a similar framework. Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber is quoted as saying, "The Cabinet is examining the extent to which agreements can be made with Uzbekistan."
The Tashkent-based Uzbek government, in a statement issued October 11, made no specific mention of Afghan asylum seekers in a potential arrangement. Although it is unclear if the subject of asylum seekers and guest workers came up during a French Defense Ministry delegation's visit to Tashkent earlier in October, no official confirmation has been made.
The proposed agreement aligns with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's administration's efforts to reposition the country's economy, focusing on manufacturing finished goods instead of being a raw materials supplier. To achieve this, the Uzbek government is endeavoring to restructure the labor market by fostering more opportunities for skilled workers abroad, particularly in EU member states.
While recent reports do not suggest ongoing negotiations between the Netherlands and Uzbekistan, broader European discussions on asylum seekers and migration management are ongoing. The European Commission has proposed enabling EU member states to transfer asylum seekers to countries with no prior connection, though no specific link to Uzbekistan or a tripartite deal with the Netherlands and Germany on Afghan asylum seekers and Uzbek guest workers has been established. Moreover, Germany has taken steps to enforce stricter border controls and asylum measures since May 6, 2025, which primarily focus on reduced asylum applications and enhanced identity checks to curb irregular migration.
Domestic pressures regarding asylum rules are also present in the Netherlands, but there have been no reports of negotiations over Afghan asylum seekers or guest worker programs in this context. As of the current date, there is no confirmed ongoing negotiation between the Netherlands and Uzbekistan concerning the expansion of the agreement with Germany, involving Afghan asylum seekers and increased skilled Uzbek guest worker opportunities. The broader EU asylum policy discussions and national border policies do not yet reflect such a specific arrangement.
- The Netherlands and Uzbekistan are reportedly deliberating on a potential expansion of their existing agreement with Germany, which could see an increase in quotas for skilled Uzbek workers in exchange for accepting Afghanistan's rejected asylum seekers, following a similar model discussed during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit.
- Politics and finance are intertwined in these discussions, as the proposed agreement aligns with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's administration's goal to reposition the country's economy and focus on manufacturing, which requires fostering more opportunities for skilled workers abroad, particularly in EU member states.
- Amidst broader European discussions on asylum seekers and migration management, and recent changes in Germany's asylum measures to curb irregular migration, there is currently no confirmed ongoing negotiation between the Netherlands and Uzbekistan regarding the expansion of their agreement with Germany, involving Afghan asylum seekers and increased skilled Uzbek guest worker opportunities.
