IGOR EFREMOV: “LABOR MIGRATION IS REGULATED ONLY BY THE ECONOMY”

On October 4, Igor Efremov, researcher at the Gaidar Institute’s International Research Department of Political Demography and Macrodynamics, took part in a live discussion with Prav!Da radio program that focused on migration issues. The discussion participants spoke on the air about its effect on the economy, and whether labor migrants are really needed in view of growing unemployment.

Igor Efremov voiced his opinion that the protection of the labor rights of migrants is necessary and useful not only for them, but also for Russia’s citizens. The state cannot significantly influence the volume of labor migration because it is determined primarily by the needs of the labor market.

Those foreign labor migrants who are officially employed and receive legitimate wages make a significant contribution with their payroll taxes to the revenues of government extrabudgetary funds, that is, they in part generate the financing needed for the pension and healthcare systems for Russian citizens.