DUSHANBE, March 14, 2015, Asia-Plus -- According to the Migration Service of the Ministry of Labor, Migration, and Employment of the Population of Tajikistan, more than 83,000 people, including 11,000 women, have left Tajikistan seeking better employment opportunities over the first two months of this year.

Tajik seasonal workers have reportedly traveled primarily to the Russian Federation (approximately 82,000) but also to neighboring Kazakhstan (1,000 people), according to the Migration Service.

Meanwhile, almost 62,200 people, including almost 8,800 women, have returned to the country over the same two-month period.

Labor migrants remain critical component in the economy of Tajikistan as remittances keep many families in the country above the poverty.