Russia plans to further toughen control over labour migrants

The Russian government is planning a new set of restrictions targeting labour migrants. It is also planning to introduce “loyalty agreements” for all foreigners entering the country.

A bill prepared by Russia’s Interior Ministry proposes making all foreigners entering Russia sign “a loyalty agreement” that includes pledges not to discredit Russian government policies, not to promote homosexuality, and not to “distort the Soviet people’s victory over fascism”,

the Russian TASS news agency reported on Tuesday.

“The agreement” will serve as permission to enter and is aimed at protecting Russia’s national interests, according to the report.

Under it, foreigners will also “agree” not to be “negligent” towards the environment, Russia’s natural resources and other objects of material and cultural value.

They will not be allowed to show “disrespect to Russia’s regional and ethnic/cultural diversity, and to traditional Russian spiritual and moral values”.

The bill also includes measures specifically targeting labour migrants.

It proposes the introduction of “a regime of controlled stay” for certain types of migrants that would mean they won’t be allowed to register any property or vehicles in their own name, transfer money, get married, drive vehicles or get a Russian driving licence.

“The regime” will be applied to those “without legal grounds to reside in Russia”, or those who have deliberately provided inaccurate information in registering with the migration authorities.

A migrant could also face “controlled stay” restrictions upon the expiration of their residence permit, if they enter Russia illegally, or if their Russian visa, refugee status or temporary asylum have been revoked by the authorities, the report said.

Persons subject to “controlled stay” will be obliged to report to the authorities their whereabouts and departure plans (date, time and itinerary). If they fail to do so, they might be deported.

The Russian Interior Ministry says the measures will help uncover illegal migrants and “remove” them from the country.

If adopted, the measures will be the Russian government’s latest move towards toughening the rules of stay for labour migrants, the bulk of whom are from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Some Russian regions have barred migrants from doing certain types of jobs.

Central Asian migrants in Russia have always suffered from xenophobia and official abuse. The attitude towards them has deteriorated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Russian authorities have been rounding up naturalised migrants to make them sign up to fight in Ukraine.

The new restrictions will make Central Asian migrants in Russian even more vulnerable to abuse.

The new bill is expected to be submitted to the Russian parliament soon, the report said.

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