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Pacts pave way for labour movement to Russia, curb illegal migration
Framework for safe movement comes after deaths of Indians in Ukraine war
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Russia’s Minister of Internal Affairs Vladimir Kolokoltsev exchange an MoU at Hyderabad House on Friday. (PTI)
India and Russia on Friday signed two pacts on movement of workers, one aimed at curbing illegal immigration and the other at facilitating labour mobility.
The first pact, ‘Cooperation in Combating Irregular Migration’, comes in the shadow of several Indian citizens losing their lives on the battlefield after signing up for the Russian Army.
The other agreement, ‘Temporary Labour Activity of Citizens of one State in the Territory of the other State’, will enable the temporary migration of skilled Indian workers to labour-intensive sectors in Russia, including construction, agriculture and IT-enabled services.
Although no details were provided on a timeline for the pact or on the number of Indians who would be sent to Russia, sources said that as many as 70,000 skilled and semi-skilled Indian workers could be employed in electronics, Information Technology Enabled Services, construction and textile industries over the next two to three years.
The Ministry of External Affairs said these agreements, signed after the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, establish a framework for the movement of skilled workers from India to Russia and “promote safe and mutually beneficial migration between the two countries”.
During a briefing later in the day, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that the pact on curbing irregular migration doesn’t talk about the cases of Indians recruited in the Russian Army, but the issue did figure in the talks.
Over the past year, New Delhi has repeatedly raised concerns about Indians being recruited — sometimes under false pretences — into Russia’s military. Last month alone, the government confirmed that 44 Indian nationals were serving in the Russian army, with many reportedly coerced or misled by agents promising safe civilian jobs.
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Opening avenues, with safeguards
While the labour agreement opens avenues for Indian blue-collar workers, it is important for it to include safeguards to prevent civilian workers from being drawn into the Ukraine war. It is likely with this in mind that the pact has a counter-balance in the form of the agreement on curbing irregular migration.
The agreements have been signed at a time when Russia is struggling with a severe labour shortage. Russia’s Ural region, an industrial hub, is one of the areas urgently seeking workers. According to estimates reported in the Russian media, the country needs to fill over three million labour-intensive positions by 2030.
India has lately signed such pacts with countries including Japan, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Germany. In this regard, the government has facilitated skill centres in various regions of the country. Sources said such facilities in Maharashtra are being considered for training workers before deployment to Russian industries.
While Indian workers have traditionally migrated to the Gulf for such jobs, Russia has lured Indian workers lately, with estimates putting around 10,000 Indians arriving in Russia seeking jobs in the construction and textile sector. Though there is a language barrier, Russia offers competitive incentives to overseas workers and regulated working hours.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said about the two pacts: “Manpower mobility will connect our peoples and create new strengths and opportunities for both countries. I am pleased that two agreements have been signed today to promote this.”
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