Fading Dream

2025 — Ongoing

Following the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack in Moscow, Russia sharply tightened its migration policies, deporting more than 17,000 Tajik workers. For decades, labour migration to Russia has been a lifeline for Tajikistan, the former Soviet Union’s poorest state, where remittances account for a large share of national GDP and often determine family survival.

Now, in Dushanbe, men crowd informal roadside job markets, competing for rare and often exploitative short-term construction work. Many are recent deportees, pushed back into poverty after years abroad. As debt accumulates and families remain separated, the “Russian Dream” is fading. In its place, some young Tajiks are looking toward the East, like China, whose growing presence offers a powerful but uncertain alternative. This project documents individuals caught between waiting, returning home, and searching for a new future. 

This series is published in Libération.

Fading Dream. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer
Vendors near the Dushanbe-2 power plant, built with Chinese assistance. Despite major infrastructure projects financed by foreign partners, World Bank data based on figures from the Agency on Statistics under the President of Tajikistan show that Tajikistan still has the lowest average salary among Central Asian countries.
Vendors near the Dushanbe-2 power plant, built with Chinese assistance. Despite major infrastructure projects financed by foreign partners, World Bank data based on figures from the Agency on Statistics under the President of Tajikistan show that Tajikistan still has the lowest average salary among Central Asian countries.
Behruz, 22, at his home in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He was the top entrant to Ufa University of Science and Technology in Russia before being arrested on suspicion of involvement in a rape and murder case near the campus, a case later dropped for lack of evidence. He was released after a month in detention and deported, barred from returning to Russia for five years. After serving two years in the army, he now works as a waiter while hoping to study abroad. “I still might go to Russia, but I don’t know,” he said.
Behruz, 22, at his home in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. He was the top entrant to Ufa University of Science and Technology in Russia before being arrested on suspicion of involvement in a rape and murder case near the campus, a case later dropped for lack of evidence. He was released after a month in detention and deported, barred from returning to Russia for five years. After serving two years in the army, he now works as a waiter while hoping to study abroad. “I still might go to Russia, but I don’t know,” he said.
Unemployed people gather around a car to speak with an employer offering construction jobs near the city centre of Dushanbe. People wait here daily for short-term construction work, sometimes for days without success. Most have limited education and can only find basic labour jobs, often without written contracts or social protection. Projects may last from a single day to several months, and less-educated workers often struggle to secure long-term employment and report cases of underpayment or non-payment of wages. Many are former migrant workers deported from Russia.
Unemployed people gather around a car to speak with an employer offering construction jobs near the city centre of Dushanbe. People wait here daily for short-term construction work, sometimes for days without success. Most have limited education and can only find basic labour jobs, often without written contracts or social protection. Projects may last from a single day to several months, and less-educated workers often struggle to secure long-term employment and report cases of underpayment or non-payment of wages. Many are former migrant workers deported from Russia.
Fading Dream. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer
Construction workers at a site in Dushanbe. Many deported labour migrants from Russia previously worked in the construction sector.
Construction workers at a site in Dushanbe. Many deported labour migrants from Russia previously worked in the construction sector.
Fading Dream. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer
Fading Dream. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer
Students attend a Russian language class at Russian-Tajik Slavonic University in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Russian remains compulsory in schools, typically starting from the second grade. Many parents prefer Russian-language schools, which are widely seen as offering better education and producing more competitive graduates.
Students attend a Russian language class at Russian-Tajik Slavonic University in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Russian remains compulsory in schools, typically starting from the second grade. Many parents prefer Russian-language schools, which are widely seen as offering better education and producing more competitive graduates.
Fading Dream. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer
Saidali, 52, rests in his rented home in Dushanbe. After giving his own house to his disabled brother, he now lives here with his wife and youngest son. He works as a construction master and currently has eight apprentices across the city. For 22 years, since his first son was born, he has stood on the street each day to look for construction jobs. His two older sons are now studying in Kazan on scholarships and plan to stay in Russia after graduation, where the family hopes to reunite once the youngest son finishes high school.
Saidali, 52, rests in his rented home in Dushanbe. After giving his own house to his disabled brother, he now lives here with his wife and youngest son. He works as a construction master and currently has eight apprentices across the city. For 22 years, since his first son was born, he has stood on the street each day to look for construction jobs. His two older sons are now studying in Kazan on scholarships and plan to stay in Russia after graduation, where the family hopes to reunite once the youngest son finishes high school.
Amir Ismail Samani Square and the old Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. The old Parliament building is one of the few remaining Soviet-style buildings in the city.
Amir Ismail Samani Square and the old Parliament of the Republic of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. The old Parliament building is one of the few remaining Soviet-style buildings in the city.
Fading Dream. Zifan Zhang | Documentary Photographer
College students take part in a parade celebrating Flag Day on November 24, 2025, at Independence Square in Dushanbe.
College students take part in a parade celebrating Flag Day on November 24, 2025, at Independence Square in Dushanbe.
In Dushanbe, renovation workers often live in unfinished apartments. The spaces serve as worksites during the day and living quarters at night. Many workers come from rural areas or other regions, and staying on-site helps reduce living expenses. When a project ends, they typically move on in search of the next job.
In Dushanbe, renovation workers often live in unfinished apartments. The spaces serve as worksites during the day and living quarters at night. Many workers come from rural areas or other regions, and staying on-site helps reduce living expenses. When a project ends, they typically move on in search of the next job.