The Russian Ministry of Finance has developed a draft law that would allow migrant workers to work in multiple regions of Russia based on a single patent. The changes were made at the request of Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova. If the law is passed, the changes are expected to come into effect a month after its official publication.
Currently, a labor patent is only issued for work in one region, requiring foreign workers to reapply for such a document if they move to another region. This limitation poses a significant challenge for companies with projects in both Moscow and the Moscow region, according to a top manager of a large development company.
The development of patents that allow official work in multiple regions is seen as a way to increase the mobility of labor resources in the construction sector, where foreign citizens make up a significant portion of the workforce. The president of the development company "Osnova" believes that the law will help streamline work processes on construction sites without compromising control and safety measures.
The new law is expected to facilitate the swift satisfaction of the demand for affordable labor by allowing foreigners with a single patent to move between regions. Additionally, it is anticipated to reduce temporary unemployment among migrants and mitigate the potential threat of unlawful activities.
According to statistics from the Russian Federal Security Service for 2023, citizens of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and others made the most trips to Russia for work purposes. The total number of border crossings increased by 30% in 2023 compared to the previous year.
The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported a 3.6% increase in the issuance of labor patents in 2023 for those entering the country visa-free, totaling 2.3 million. Estimates suggest that there may be between 1.5 million to 3 million illegal migrants in Russia.
