The Russian Ministry of Construction has suggested binding labor migrants to specific employers, listed in their work permits. This change aims to reduce labor shortages in the construction industry and could take effect between April and June 2025.
Proposed Regulations:
- Migrants would no longer switch jobs between industries (e.g., from construction to delivery or taxi services).
- Employers would be required to provide housing, training, and other support for workers.
Context:
- Agreements with Uzbekistan and Tajikistan since 2017 allow organized recruitment of workers for Russian construction projects.
- Of the 11.5 million construction and housing specialists in Russia, about 1 million are foreign workers.
Deputy Chair of the State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee on Construction, Ms. Svetlana Razvorotneva, supported the initiative, noting it would streamline migration flows but increase employers' responsibilities.
For 2024, quotas allow up to 80% of workers in construction to be foreigners, with regional variations permitted.
