Russia turns to Asia for workers amid labor shortage - ISW
Photo: Russia is working on engaging the labor force to the country (Russian media)
Russia faces a persistent shortage of labor. The Kremlin is attempting to attract migrants from Central Asia and is exploring ways to integrate them with ethnic Russians, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
In his speech at the Valdai Discussion Club, President Putin stated that the ongoing labor deficit is one of the main obstacles to Russia's economic growth. According to the Russian president, half a million people are currently employed in the construction industry, yet the sector could absorb another 600,000 workers without even noticing.
Putin also noted that the construction sector needs at least 250,000 additional workers. However, he emphasized that Russia must first create conditions for the successful assimilation of migrants into Russian society to avoid irritation from ethnic Russians.
The president stressed that migrants moving to Russia must be able to speak Russian, be educated, and be well-trained professionals who understand and adhere to Russian laws and traditions.
Discrediting and finding compromise
The ISW reminded that the Russian authorities and ultra-nationalist organizations consistently discredit migrants, especially from Central Asia, portraying them as dangerous and unwilling to integrate into Russian society. This occurs despite the country's dependence on these migrants to meet labor needs and provide additional hands.
The report suggested that Putin appears to acknowledge internal concerns about the assimilation of migrants, justifying Russia's continuous need for imported labor. Although the Russian government continually struggles to strike a balance between quelling xenophobia within Russian society and protecting and supporting the migrants the country so desperately needs.
"Russia is unlikely to overcome its labor shortages in the near future unless the Kremlin approves significant changes to Russia's migration and labor laws and facilitates greater acceptance of migrants in Russian society or curtails its manpower requirements for and losses in its invasion of Ukraine," the ISW concluded.
Migration issues in Russia
As a reminder, the Kremlin considers conflicts between ethnic Russians and minority groups critical to statehood.
Earlier, it became known that Moscow was using leaders of immigrant and ethnic organizations to create units for the war against Ukraine.
The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, plans to send 84,000 residents of the republic to fight against Ukraine voluntarily.
