According to some experts illegal migration remains to be one of the main problems for the Russian government and it has no idea how to regulate it. However, it is unquestionable that Russia benefits more than it loses from hosting illegal migrants.

Countries like Tajikistan (the labor exporting countries) are also benefiting more than losing. Firstly, labor migration is the best way to solve unemployment problem and secondly, they receive a substantial amount of remittances.

As Sergei Blagov at Eurasia Daily Monitor says the “presence of Tajik migrant workers in Russia remains a sensitive issue for both sides.”

The recent developments in Russian – Tajik relations show that migrants have become a big leverage in Russia’s hands against Tajikistan and if something goes wrong, it can be easily used.

Recently, the Ambassador of Russia to Tajikistan announced that Russia is ready to complete the Rogun hydroelectric power station – one of the biggest energy projects in the country. Russia wants to have 50% of share in this project and Tajikistan is not happy with that.

Previously the involvement of Russia in the project was stopped when Tajik government broke up an agreement with Rusal, which was supposed to be the main sponsor. However, the Tajik government has not reacted to the proposition of the Russia yet.

On one hand Russia can pass a new law on migrants and most of the Tajiks will be sent out of the country in 24 hours. The first to be blamed by migrants in this situation is the government of Tajikistan and this is the last thing it wants. On the other hand it is also not easy for Russia to send out all the Tajik migrants because its growing economy needs a labor force.