Chinese companies actively investing in Tajikistan through mining projects, infrastructure construction, and industrial enterprises are facing increasing challenges from local communities expressing dissatisfaction with working conditions, reports Ozodi.
One recent incident involved a collective protest by workers at the Zarafshan gold mine, located near Penjikent, which is one of the largest mining enterprises in the country and is managed by the Chinese side. In November, Tajik miners expressed dissatisfaction over low wages and pay disparities compared to their Chinese colleagues, appealing to management for a salary increase. They noted that the current wage level does not correspond to rising prices for goods.
According to anonymous sources, employees of the company claim that miners' salaries range from 2000 to 4000 somoni (approximately 215 to 430 US dollars), and their demands for salary increases were rejected.
“Working in the mine involves significant risks and physical strain, and we expect this to be reflected in our salaries,” said one miner.
This conflict highlights the growing tensions at Zarafshan, which was launched in 2007 and has become a symbol of both opportunities and inequality faced by local workers.
The Zarafshan gold complex produces 70% of the gold mined in Tajikistan and is of strategic importance to the government. President Emomali Rahmon praised its contribution to the country’s economy during his visit in July 2023.
Additionally, Tajik officials who spoke with RFE/RL expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of transparency in management and noted that there is a significant wage gap between Tajik and Chinese workers.
In response to employee requests, the company director stated that there are no plans to raise base salaries; however, a new bonus system will be introduced, starting in 2026. Workers will be able to receive additional payments for birthdays, New Year's holidays, and Navruz — the Persian New Year.
Nevertheless, employees express the opinion that the proposed bonuses will not change their financial situation. Tensions between local and Chinese workers are escalating.
“Bonuses are certainly nice, but they are insufficient to improve our lives,” added one miner.
DISSATISFACTION WITHIN THE FLAGSHIP PROJECT
China is the largest foreign investor in Tajikistan, having invested over $5.1 billion since 2007. More than 700 enterprises supported by China operate in the country. In 2024, Tajik legislators ratified an investment protection agreement with China, which provided additional legal guarantees for Chinese investors.
However, Chinese projects face various challenges.
An investigation by Ozodi in 2024 revealed environmental issues in Chinese mining and agricultural areas, including Zarafshan, where locals reported illnesses and deteriorating health. Tajik officials denied these allegations.
Disputes have also revealed distrust between local communities and the oversight bodies responsible for monitoring foreign projects. Signs are emerging that Chinese companies operate with impunity.
At the Zarafshan mine, tensions are rising between Tajik workers and Chinese specialists, who primarily hold technical and administrative positions, with their salaries not being disclosed.
One employee of the Zarafshan mining company, who wished to remain anonymous, reported that after complaints about low wages, the company divided its accounting into two departments: one for Chinese workers and another for Tajik workers. A former employee of the finance department confirmed the significant wage disparity.
“For example, a Tajik engineer earns 5000–7000 somoni, while a Chinese engineer earns up to 30,000–40,000 somoni. Chinese workers work eight hours, while Tajik workers sometimes work up to 11 hours to earn more, despite the standard workday being eight hours,” he noted.
RFE/RL was unable to verify this information, and the Zarafshan company did not respond to requests for comment.
These allegations and the lack of transparency regarding wages undermine local residents' trust in Chinese workers. Tensions have sometimes escalated to the point where the government had to intervene.
In 2025, under pressure from the Penjikent prosecutor's office, Zarafshan transferred more than a thousand Tajik workers from contract positions to permanent ones.
The Penjikent prosecutor acknowledged in an official response to RFE/RL that there were “various violations of labor rights” at the site but did not provide further details.
OUTBREAKS OF VIOLENCE AND UNCERTAINTY AROUND INVESTMENTS
The escalation of labor conflicts coincided with growing concerns about the safety of Chinese projects in the country.
As of December 1, work on an important section of the Dushanbe–China highway was suspended due to two fatal attacks near the Afghan border.
On November 30, armed individuals killed two Chinese workers and injured two others at a construction site in the Darvaz district, leading Beijing to call on Dushanbe to enhance security for its citizens.
Tajik authorities blamed the incident on an “armed terrorist group,” without providing details. Just a few days prior, three Chinese nationals fell victim to another attack at a gold mining site in the Shamsiddin Shohin district. Authorities stated that both attacks were carried out from Afghan territory.
These events have raised alarm among Chinese contractors working along the strategic Dushanbe–Kulma route, which passes through remote areas to China's Xinjiang region. President Rahmon noted the partial opening of the route in mid-2025; however, construction delays and new security measures cast doubt on its completion this year.
A wave of instability could negatively impact relations with Beijing and make Chinese companies less willing to continue operations and invest, which, in turn, would affect Tajikistan's economy.
According to official data, Chinese companies currently dominate the country's gold mining sector, accounting for 84% of the national production volume.
In addition to Zarafshan, major projects include the Pokrud gold deposit south of Dushanbe and the TALCO Gold mine worth $136 million in the northern Ayni district, developed in collaboration with the Chinese company Tibet Huayu Mining. The expansion of the sector has contributed to increased exports for one of Central Asia's poorest countries but has also increased its dependence on Chinese investments.
Meanwhile, workers at Zarafshan continue to face issues related to rising prices and stagnant wages.
“We do the hardest work, but the results go to others,” noted one Tajik worker at the mine in a conversation with RFE/RL.
