Lyubov Filin, Head of Event-Based Regulatory Practice Department at the Gaidar Institute, told to Nezavisimaya gazeta, to what extent the examination leave of foreign citizens arriving under government quotas from mandatory examinations in Russian language, history and legislation will help to solve staffing shortage at the expense of migrants.
The expert said that the decision can be perceived as a step to reduce bureaucratic barriers to labor migration. “Such a measure can speed up and simplify the process of attracting foreign workers, especially as blue-collar workers, for example, in the construction sector, where the shortage is most acute. However, the extent to which this measure will have an impact on labor shortages will be limited, as entry quotas remain fixed, many migrants lacking language skills face difficulties in their jobs, while Russia competes for labor with other countries where living and pay conditions are often more attractive.
Thus, this measure can facilitate the access of migrants to the labor market, but it is not enough for a systemic solution to the staff shortage. It functions more as a selective tool to attract workers to the most 'hot' vacancies more quickly,” emphasized Lyubov Filin.
The expert noted that labor shortage in the Russian economy is 1–2 million people a year. “Labor migrants can potentially fill up to 30–40% of this shortage, especially in low- and medium-skilled industries, according to various estimates. In this context, the proposed examination leave of migrants, entering under government quotas, from the language and legislation examinations looks like an attempt to simplify the recruitment of required personnel. However, it is important to maintain a balance between economic expediency and integration measures, so that such decisions do not undermine social sustainability in the long term,” says Lyubov Filin.
