The Systemic Nature of Vulnerability to Trafficking for Kyrgyz Labor Migrants

Migration is crucial for the Kyrgyz Republic, with about 14.3% of its population living abroad and remittances constituting over 30% of its GDP, making it one of the most remittance-dependent economies globally. However, Kyrgyz migrants are insufficiently protected and often fall victim to trafficking. This report investigates the systemic vulnerabilities that make Kyrgyz migrants susceptible to trafficking, emphasizing that these vulnerabilities arise from complex social, economic, and political structures rather than individual factors.

The research included literature review, field visits to Kyrgyzstan, and interviews with stakeholders such as survivors, returned migrants, civil society professionals, and policymakers. The findings highlight mechanisms within policy and governance systems, as well as social and cultural patterns, that perpetuate vulnerability.

The research makes the case for moving the emphasis from individual measures to systemic reforms, stressing that even modest, situation-specific initiatives can break negative trends and promote cooperation between the public and government. This systemic analysis provides a technique to break through the ingrained weaknesses and start long-lasting protection for migrants.