Migrant workers in Russia could face a ban on bringing their families, as per a proposal by the DPR.
In the heart of July, the State Duma passed a series of laws aimed at strengthening control over migrants within Russia's borders. This move reflects an ongoing strategy to regulate migrant labour and presence more stringently.
One of the key proposals targets unaccompanied foreign minors. Deputies Nina Ostanina and Yaroslav Nilov have put forward a bill limiting the entry of foreign children without parents or legally responsible adults. The exceptions are education, medical treatment, and participation in international sports or Olympiads. The law necessitates minors to be accompanied by parents or guardians with notarized power of attorney; otherwise, the minor and accompanying foreigner may face deportation. The government voiced concerns that this might conflict with international norms and could restrict children's access to education and health services, but the Duma continues to consider the legislation [1].
Another significant proposal comes from the Ministry of Labor, which has put forth a law to ban the hiring of migrant workers in service roles, such as drivers, salespeople, and doctors, if they do not pass a Russian language test. This proposal primarily targets migrants from visa-required countries and aims to ensure effective social interaction. Earlier, a related bill exempting certain migrants from the language exam was criticized, and the ministry's proposal is expected to be reviewed during the autumn session [2].
The State Duma has also backed regional bans (already applied in 32 regions) on the employment of foreign migrants as couriers. These measures are intended to combat shadow employment and improve service quality and safety. Proposals for mandatory certification, including language proficiency and knowledge of public conduct rules, have been raised in conjunction with this [3][4].
Some deputies and officials have advocated a general ban on migrants bringing their families to Russia, consistent with efforts to limit family unification among migrants [1].
Sergei Mironov, the leader of the "Fair Russia - For Truth" party, believes that foreigners should come to Russia for work. However, he stated that many foreign citizens come to Russia without the intention to work [5].
It is also worth noting that a court is scheduled to review journalist Bayazitova's verdict [6].
These legislative steps collectively aim to tighten employment control, enhance integration through language requirements, and limit unaccompanied minors' entry, reflecting an overall strategy to regulate migrant labor and presence more strictly within Russia. The legislation reflects tensions between security, social integration concerns, and compliance with international norms [1][2][3][4].
- The policy-and-legislation regarding migrant labor and presence in Russia continues to evolve, with proposals such as limiting the entry of unaccompanied foreign minors and banning the hiring of migrant workers in certain service roles without a Russian language test.
- The ongoing politics surrounding migration in Russia includes debates about requiring migrants to pass a Russian language test before employment, as well as discussions about a potential general ban on migrants bringing their families to Russia.
