Labor migrants from Uzbekistan will get more rights in Russia

20 October 2017 17:12 (UTC+04:00)

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By Kamila Aliyeva

Migrants from Uzbekistan will be able to find a formal work in Russia before the arrival.

The corresponding agreement was considered and approved by the Russian government and further submitted for ratification to the State Duma, podrobno.uz reported.

The signing of the agreements under which migrant workers will have the opportunity of formal and targeted employment took place in Moscow in early April during the meeting of the Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Migrants from Uzbekistan are one of the most numerous groups of foreign workers on the Russian territory. According to various estimates, there are more than 2 million citizens of Uzbekistan in Russia. They annually transfer about $3 billion, which is a significant item of foreign exchange earnings for Uzbekistan, to their homeland.

Therefore, the authorities want to improve the employment opportunities of their citizens in the territory of a neighboring country. Russia is also interested in a more systematic way for labor migration.

The draft law suggests making the process of labor migration from Uzbekistan more organized. Migrants will go to Russia, knowing in advance where they will work, live and how much they will be paid.

Before they leave, the migrants will have to undergo a certain test and preparation. The Uzbek Labor Ministry will have to conduct training for citizens under the programs of the Russian Education Ministry, check qualifications and experience and conduct medical examination of migrants. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will have to check the absence of citizens in the number of wanted persons and for the existence of outstanding convictions.

In addition, the Russian employer will have to provide the recruited foreign workers with a place of residence, the corresponding sanitary and hygienic standards and a payment not lower than the subsistence minimum. The employer should also conclude an agreement with the sending party, where all the nuances will be prescribed. In Russia, such labor migrants will have the advantage of being employed by other temporary workers from Uzbekistan.

Many young and middle-aged people in Central Asian states, particularly Uzbekistan prefer working abroad instead of working or continuing their studies at home. They also follow the example of relatives, neighbors, and acquaintances who have earned enough money from working abroad to buy or build their own homes, cars and other essentials.

Russia offers visa-free entry for the citizens of Uzbekistan. Once in Russia, they have 30 days in which to locate employment and obtain a work patent.

Currently, about three million people (almost a third of the able-bodied population) live on earnings outside of Uzbekistan, including about two million citizens of Uzbekistan in Russia.

It is expected that the entry into force of agreements between Uzbekistan and Russia on labor migration issues will contribute to the security and tranquility of the citizens of the republic working in Russia.

As of January 20, 2015, 2.2 million Uzbek citizens stay in Russia, of which 81 percent is of working-age population, according to Russia’s Federal Migration Service.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva