Chinese Companies’ Localization in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan

Chinese workers have long been a hot button issue in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. It is commonly assumed, both in the media and much of the academic literature, that Chinese investors and contractors prefer to hire Chinese labor in both countries. This fieldnote argues that Chinese companies are successfully localizing their labor in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Local societal and governmental pressure as well as the increasing cost of Chinese labor are the biggest drivers of this localization. There are impediments such as a lack of skilled workers as well as language and cultural barriers.