Russia news today highlights a significant shift in life in Russia as the country plans to bring in one million skilled workers from India. This large-scale migration is aimed at addressing an urgent labor shortage in Russian industrial regions, especially in the Ural Mountains.
Indian consulate opening to manage migration
The head of the Ural Chamber of Commerce announced that the new workers will begin arriving before the end of 2025. To facilitate the process, a new Indian consulate will open in Yekaterinburg, a major industrial hub in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region. The consulate will oversee visa and employment logistics for incoming workers.
More countries considered for labor sourcing
Russia is also in talks with Sri Lanka, which officials see as having strong potential for future labor cooperation. Diplomatic efforts are underway to expand this initiative regionally. Additionally, arrangements are being made with North Korea, where the workforce is described as highly disciplined and capable.
Import substitution and military draft strain workforce
The move is part of Russia’s broader strategy to boost domestic production under its import substitution policy. Many Russian factories face operational challenges due to a depleted workforce. Officials attribute the shortage to several factors, including young people’s reluctance to work in manufacturing and the draft of thousands of able-bodied men for the war in Ukraine.
Ideological shift blamed for declining interest in factory jobs
According to business leaders, fewer young Russians are choosing technical careers due to what they call past ideological mistakes. Vocational training and factory work lost prestige during the 1990s and 2000s, and efforts to reverse that trend have so far been slow and ineffective. The new influx of foreign workers is seen as a stopgap measure.
Author’s Note:
Over the past three years, Russia has lost several million working-age citizens. Since Putin launched his authoritarian policies, started a war, and introduced more than 200 repressive laws targeting his own people, many fled the country, while a large number were killed in combat. As a result, in a remarkably short time, Russia is now facing a severe labor shortage across multiple sectors, including blue-collar jobs and industrial positions.
