TAJIK COMMUNITIES IN RUSSIAN REGIONS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: EMPLOYMENT AND SOLIDARITY

Abstract

In the course of field research, statistical and sociological data were collected on the number, socio-demographic structure and problems of Tajik migrants in various regions of the Russian Federation. During the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia, Tajik migrants faced social and economic difficulties. The pandemic has significantly complicated the situation of Tajik citizens — temporary labor migrants in Russia. Many were unable to leave Russia before the borders were closed, and during the lockdown they lost their jobs and sources of income. The loss of a job turned into problems both for the migrants who remained in Russia and for their families, who could not receive remittances from Russia. Many labor migrants were forced to look for work, adapt to the new socio-economic situation, experienced pressure from the security forces, lost their health and were in a state of stress. Labor migrants from Tajikistan, who initially lost income during the lockdown in April-May 2020, were gradually able to adapt to the new socio-economic conditions and restore their monetary income, continuing to provide assistance to their families in their homeland. Three types of Tajik public associations in Russia have been identified and described: organizations positioning themselves through the ethnocultural component and carrying out cultural projects; organizations providing various types of assistance to citizens and immigrants from Tajikistan (for example, labor migrants); organizations uniting representatives of socio-demographic groups from Tajikistan (for example, working with youth). The article also analyzes the forms of solidarity of Tajik communities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia; it is revealed that the main burden of supporting Tajik migrants was carried by ethnic entrepreneurs and non-governmental organizations.