Migrants in Abkhazia will no longer be permitted to operate as taxi drivers.

In the heart of Abkhazia, a small but vocal group of taxi drivers recently staged a three-day picket in Sukhum, voicing their concerns about competition from migrant drivers. The demonstration comes as the government, led by President Badra Gunba, has announced its intention to ban migrants from working in passenger transportation, reserving this right exclusively for Abkhazian citizens.

The taxi drivers' main complaint is that many of these migrant drivers do not have valid driver's licenses, are unfamiliar with the area, and have limited knowledge of the Russian language. They argue that this creates an unfair advantage and puts passengers at risk.

Social media debates about the taxi driver protest are running roughly equal between supporters and opponents. Some argue that the ban is necessary to protect local drivers, while others contend that it is discriminatory and could harm the economy.

Company owners in Abkhazia, however, find it profitable to hire foreigners due to their unpretentiousness, discipline, good car maintenance, and regular meeting of passenger transport quotas. More than 200 foreigners work as taxi drivers in Abkhazia, most of them citizens of Central Asian republics.

The ban on migrants from working in passenger transportation is expected to be enforced by January 2026, following the amendment of relevant legislation. The authorities in Abkhazia have sided with the taxi drivers, with Parliament member Kan Kvarchia initiating a conversation with President Gunba regarding the issue.

Notably, the search results do not provide information on who proposed the legal amendment banning migrants from working in passenger transport in Abkhazia. However, it is clear that the government is taking steps to address the concerns of local taxi drivers, who have long complained about issues such as loud music, smoke-filled car interiors, speeding, and traffic violations by some migrant drivers.

As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how the ban impacts both the local taxi industry and the migrant community in Abkhazia.