From Ridus.ru:
Moscow region authorities plan to reduce the number of migrant workers.
The acting governor of the Moscow region, Andrei Vorobyov, is seriously concerned about the dominance of migrant workers in the Moscow Oblast. This was discussed at an extended meeting of the interdepartmental commission for the recruitment and employment of foreign workers.
“Today, the reality is that in meetings with residents of the region, I hear often complaints, and unhappiness due to the dominance of unskilled workers. Paying tribute to those who are engaged in thankless, but vital work, I should point out that we have cited figures today, showing that only 2% [of migrant workers] are sweeping our streets and courtyards, all the rest work in factories, and in the trade sector – where Russian citizens could be working. It should also be noted that we do not receive taxes from using a huge number of migrants, although there are at least 1,100,000 of them, and that’s’ only those we’re able to count”, the press service of the region’s governor quoted Vorobyov as saying.
Only 7.5% of these immigrants are highly qualified. Given the fact that 96% of migrant workers come from Central Asia, the percentage amongst these is very probably lower. Moreover, only a quarter of migrants are officially in Moscow for employment. It is unclear why the rest are needed.
Vorobyov said that unskilled workers will be directed to work in the municipal services sphere. Residents of the oblast should take jobs in other sectors of the economy, according to civil servants.
“Our most important task is to create the best conditions possible for the residents of the Moscow oblast, citizens of the Russian Federation, to earn a decent wage”, Vorobyov emphasised.
Vorobyov added that the quota for legal entities in attracting foreign labour has decreased from 150,000 to 100,000. In addition, when inviting migrants, organisations will be required to provide them with accomodation.
However, he noted that no breakthrough decisions have yet been made. They are due on the 10th-11th June, during a presentation of migration policy program for the Moscow oblast.
We would add that Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev does not believe it possible to turn away from the services of migrant workers in the foreseeable future.
“It is unlikely that in the coming years and decades. Russia will be able to completely turn away from migrant labour. Because we don’t want to work as, for example, street sweepers ourselves,”, the Prime Minister said in an interview with “Komsomolskaya Pravda”.
He added that the government’s main task is to create a system that will allow the monitoring of migration.
Comments from Ridus.ru:
wert-8032:
Well, they can be street sweepers, why not. But that’s not how it is. They’re everywhere. The shops are full of migrants, even those that don’t speak Russian. And with medical cards that they’ve bought. Just looks like Vorobyov doing some pre-election PR.
Ipso Facto: (responding to above)
Just PR, nothing else.
Crescent: (also responding to previous commenter)
We don’t need them as street sweepers either. Take on Russians, give them a decent salary, and increase the quality of work expected.
fx81: (responding to above)
Are you going to pay their salaries?
Andrew: (also responding to previous commenter)
They get decent salaries. More than lots of others.
fx81: (responding to above)
So what’s the problem then? What’s stopping local citizens working for these decent salaries?
dire.one:
For anyone who’s never been to the Moscow region, it’s impossible to guess how many illegal immigrants there are there, I would say that there are whole caravans that go down the country roads. Where they live, I’m not sure, but that there are lots of them is indisputable.
Crescent:
We need to reduce them to nought, there are people who can work in the Moscow region. And it’s time to stop banging on about a cheap labour force, let the employers employ only their own, and give them a decent level of pay, and thus increase quality of life.
fx81: (responding to above)
Everyone’s deciding for other people who to employ, how much to pay. Establish your own workplace, employ Russians, pay them, who’s stopping you, eh?
rust:
Long overdue, let’s chase them out of all of Russia !!!
Александр-7283:
Don’t decrease migration, ban it, and immediately start total deportation.
ЧеГевара:
Long overdue, chuck all the illegals (criminals) out.
moyaoborona:
Putin himself invited them, they’re under his protection!
Dudikoff:
These workers’ overalls are suspiciously clean. Do they actually work in them, or do they use them as pyjamas?