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DOI X0.X9X8l/demis.2022.2.4.3 EDN OINTXY
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON TAJIK MIGRANTS IN THE RUSSIAN LABOUR MARKET
Sergey V. Ryazantsev
Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia E-mail: [email protected]
Osim K. Kasymov
Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia E-mail: [email protected]
Zafar K. Vazirov
Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia E-mail: [email protected]
Farzona M. Garibova
Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia E-mail: [email protected]
For citation: Sergey V. Ryazantsev. The Impact of COVID-19 on Tajik Migrants in the Russian Labour Market / S. V. Ryazantsev, O. K. Kasymov, Z. K. Vazirov, F. M. Garibova. DEMIS. Demographic Research. 2022. Vol. 2, No. 4. P. 45-57. DOI 10.19181/ demis.2022.2.4.3. EDN OINTXY.
Abstract. Thy article examines the plight of Tajik labour migrants stranded during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Russian Federation. The study is based on statistical data and two opinion polls conducted by a research team from the Institute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS in April 2020 and January 2021. The results of the study showed the key problems faced by Tajik migrants in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the survey, Tajik temporary labor migrants faced social and economic difficulties during the pandemic in Russia. The restrictive measures have significantly complicated the situation for them. Many were unable to leave Russia before the borders were closed. During the lockdown they lost their jobs and livelihhods. The loss of a job led to problems both for the migrants who remained in Russia, and for their families in Tajikistan, who could not receive remittances. Also, many labor migrants faced additional health risks due to poor hygiene facilities in their dwellings. A significant part of migrants reported difficulties when trying to get medical health, make a COVID test or get a vaccine. However, labor migrants from Tajikistan, who initially lost income during the lockdown in April - May 2020, were gradually able to adapt to the new socio-economic conditions and restore their monetary income, continuing to provide assistance to their families in their homeland. In conclusion, recommendations on rendering assistance to Tajik migrants who have found themselves in a difficult situation abroad are offered. In the authors' opinion, the assistance should be provided both in political, socio-economic and medical spheres.
Keywords: labour migration; Russian labour market; Tajik migrants; COVID-19 pandemic; problems of migrants; assistance to migrants.
Introduction. The contribution of Tajik migrants to the Russian economy
According to rough estimates, in 2019, migrants from Tajikistan made about 1.3% of the GDP of the Russian Federation, and also contributed about 15 billion rubles (205 million
USD) to the budget as monthly payments for a patent for work1. About 25% of migrant workers and 1/3 of foreign construction workers in Russia are citizens of Tajikistan2. In Russia, communities have formed, represented by ethnic Tajiks from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, who have lived permanently or for a long time on the territory of Russia, many of whom have received Russian citizenship. In 2020, more than 63 thousand immigrants from Tajikistan entered Russian citizenship (second place after citizens of Ukraine)3. Acording to our estimates, the number of people from Tajikistan in Russia is about 1 million people, including both migrants and their family members.
Before the pandemic, the inflow of labour migrants from Tajikistan to Russia was seasonal. The volume of migration ranged from 450 to 500 thousand people annually4. Tajikistan has suspended international flights from March 20, 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic5, and since March 30, 2020, Russia has completely closed the border6. As a result, Tajik labour migrants could not get to Russia. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the inflow of temporary labour migrants from Tajikistan to Russia decreased by 350 thousand people7. In January 2021, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon delivered a message to parliament: "In 2020, due to the pandemic, 80% of labour migrants were unable to leave the country. In total, out of 460 thousand labour migrants going abroad annually, only 111 thousand people were able to leave last year"8.
1 Ryazantsev, S. Russia in the Context of the Economic Crisis // Russia in Global Affairs : [site]. URL: https://eng.globalaffairs.ru/articles/labour-migration-from-central-asia-to-russia-in-the-context-of-the-economic-crisis/ (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
2 Trud i zanyatost' v Rossii [Labor and employment in Russia] // Federal State Statistics Service of Russia : [site]. URL: https://rosstat.gov.ru/folder/210/document/13210 (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
3 Otdel'nyye pokazateli migratsionnoy situatsii v Rossiyskoy Federatsii za yanvar' - dekabr' 2020 goda s raspredeleniyem po stranam i regionam [Selected indicators of the migration situation in the Russian Federation for January - December 2020 with distribution by country and region] // Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia : [site]. 21.01.2021. URL: https://MBa.p$/dejatelnost/statistics/migracionnaya/ item/22689602 (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
4 Chislennost' i migratsiya naseleniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii [Size and migration of the Russian Federation population] // Federal State Statistics Service of Russia : [site]. URL: https://rosstat.gov.ru/ compendium/document/13283 (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
5 Tadzhikskiye aeroporty s 20 marta zakroyutsya na neopredelennyy srok [Tajik airports to close indefinitely from March 20] // Fergana News : [site]. 19.03.2020. URL: https://fergana.media/news/116263/ (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
6 Rossiya 30 marta polnost'yu zakryvayet gosudarstvennuyu granitsu [Russia completely closes the state border on March 30] // Rossiyskaya Gazeta : [site]. 29.03.2020. URL: https://rg.ru/2020/03/29/rossiia-30-marta-polnostiu-zakryvaet-gosudarstvennuiu-granicu.html (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
7 Chislennost' i migratsiya naseleniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii [Size and migration of the Russian Federation population] // Federal State Statistics Service of Russia : [site]. URL: https://rosstat.gov.ru/ compendium/document/13283 (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
8 Iz-za pandemii 80% trudovykh migrantov ne smogli vyyekhat' iz Tadzhikistana v 2020 godu [Due to the pandemic, 80% of labor migrants were unable to leave Tajikistan in 2020] // Nezavisimaya Gazeta : [site]. 26.01.2021. URL: https://www.ng.ru/news/700789.html (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
Fig. i. The share of migrants from Tajikistan registered at the place of residence in the total population of Russian regions in 2019 (%)
Note: state borders of the Russian Federation are shown as of 31.12.2021 Source: compiled by the authors based on the data from Rosstat
In the situation of border closure, the number of labour migrants from Tajikistan in Russia registered at the place of stay for the purpose of "work" decreased from 1,179 to 507 thousand people in 2020 compared to 20199. According to our sociological survey conducted in April 2020, about a third of Tajik migrants (34%) wanted to go home, but could not do this due to the closure of borders and the cancellation of regular flights. The share of Tajik migrants who did not try to leave Russia increased from 66% in 2020 to 73% in 2021. As the situation on the Russian labour market stabilized, people realized that returning to Tajikistan did not make sense in a situation of restrictions at the borders, as well as the impossibility of finding work at home.
On April 18, 2020 by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin signed the Decree "On temporary measures to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation in connection with the threat of the further spread of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)", which allows labour migrants whose stay in Russia was legal on March 15 2020, stay and work without hindrance until June 15, 202010.
9 Chislennost' i migratsiya naseleniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii [Size and migration of the Russian Federation population] // Federal State Statistics Service of Russia : [site]. URL: https://rosstat.gov.ru/ compendium/document/13283 (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
10 Ukaz Prezidenta RF ot 18.04.2020 N 274 (red. ot 02.01.2021) "O vremennykh merakh po uregulirovaniyu pravovogo polozheniya inostrannykh grazhdan i lits bez grazhdanstva v Rossiyskoy Federatsii v svyazi s ugrozoy dal'neyshego rasprostraneniya novoy koronavirusnoy infektsii (COVID-19)" [Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of April 18, 2020 N 274 (as amended on January 2, 2021) "On temporary measures to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation in connection with the threat of further spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19)"] // Consultant Plus : [site]. URL: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_350638/ (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
Then this provision was extended three times by the Russian authorities: until September 15, 2020, until December 15, 2020, until June 15, 202111. In fact, this stabilized the legal status of labour migrants from Tajikistan and allowed them to continue working in Russia without breaking the law.
Data sources and research methods
The main sources of statistical information for the study included data from international organizations, such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labor Organization (ILO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the World Bank (World Bank ); data from the authorities of the Republic of Tajikistan (Statistical Agency under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Ministry of Labour, Migration and Employment of the Republic of Tajikistan); data from the authorities of the Russian Federation (Federal State Statistics Service - Rosstat, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation, Main Directorate for Migration of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia).
Aslo, the authors used the results of two sociological surveys conducted by a research team from the Insitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS among labor migrants from the states of Central Asia, including from Tajikistan, in April 2020 (at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic) and in February 2021 based on a random sample in several regions of Russia This article used only the module on migrant workers from Tajikistan (N=413 and N=105 respondents, respectively). The surveys were conducted online on the basis of the Google Forms Internet platform through the social networks VKontakte, Facebook, Telegram, etc. The sample was random.
Results
Economic problems ofTajik migrants in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the pandemic, migrants from Tajikistan in the Russian labour market have become a rather vulnerable group of workers [1]. According to the survey in April 2020, about 28% of Tajik migrants were fired and unemployed, 39% were sent on unpaid leave. In fact, 67% of the interviewed migrants from Tajikistan were unemployed and had practically no sources of income at the beginning of the pandemic. In March - April 2020, the employment of labour migrants from Tajikistan against the background of restrictions and self-isolation could decrease by 60%. According to the survey in April 2020, the maximum "contraction" of migrant segments of the labour markets occurred in construction (40%), restaurant business (20%), trade (15%), taxi (5%). The smaller losses were in industry, office sector, education, and households.
The most pressing problems of labour migrants from Tajikistan at the beginning of the pandemic (April 2020) were the inability to pay for housing (about 57%), loss of job and difficulty in finding a new piece of employment (40%), lack of money for food (39%). About
11 Ukaz Prezidenta RF ot 18.04.2020 N 274 (red. ot 02.01.2021) "O vremennykh merakh po uregulirovaniyu pravovogo polozheniya inostrannykh grazhdan i lits bez grazhdanstva v Rossiyskoy Federatsii v svyazi s ugrozoy dal'neyshego rasprostraneniya novoy koronavirusnoy infektsii (COVID-19)" [Decree of the President of the Russian Federation of April 18, 2020 N 274 (as amended on January 2, 2021) "On temporary measures to regulate the legal status of foreign citizens and stateless persons in the Russian Federation in connection with the threat of further spread of a new Coronavirus infection (COVID-19)"] // Consultant Plus : [site]. URL: https://www.consultant.ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_350638/ (accessed on 10.02.2021). (In Russ.)
14% had problems with the police, 8% complained abour poor living conditions, and 1% of the respondents could not pay for a patent [2].
Fig. 1. Key problems of respondents - labour migrants from Tajikistan to Russia
in April 2020 (%)
Note: Respondents were able to choose more than one answer.
Fig. 2. Distribution of answers of respondents - labour migrants from Tajikistan to the question "How has your income changed during the COVID-19 pandemic?"
in February 2021 (%)
By February 2021, there was a gradual recovery in the employment of Tajik labour migrants in the Russian labour market. This recovery was uneven across regions and sectors of the economy; wages and incomes of Tajik labour migrants also fell. Many migrants got infected with the new coronavirus, which undermined their psychological and physical health.
In April 2020, 88% of the migrants surveyed said their incomes reduced due to the self-isolation regime, the introduction of restrictions, the closure of economic facilities, and the loss of jobs. In February 2021, about 59% of Tajik migrants surveyed reported declining income during the pandemic. The share of migrants whose income has not changed has
increased (11% and 27%, respectiveiy). The share of migrants whose incomes increased raised from 1% in 2020 to 14% in 2021. That is, in generai, Tajik migrants have graduaiiy adapted to the situation on the Russian labour market.
In April 2020, 49% of Tajik migrants were unable to send remittances home. They used their main income to meet current needs, buy food, pay for housing. Money transfer systems recorded a significant drop in volumes of remittances from Russia to Tajikistan. According to the Zoiotaya Korona system, in March 2020, remittances decreased by 30%, and in Aprii 2020 - by 50% compared to the same period in 2019. In the Unistream system, transfers decreased in March 2020 to 35%12.
According to Russian researchers Mikhail Denisenko and Vladimir Mukomei, the average salary of labour migrants in 2020 in Russia was 42.8 thousand rubies13. According to the 2021 survey, about a third of the migrants surveyed worked in the same place or were on paid leave, but 66% were unable to send money home to their families. Because, firstly, salaries and incomes fell sharply [3]; secondly, the structure of expenses has changed (uncertainty forced peopie to redistribute and save money for current needs, housing payments, and paperwork).
According to the 2021 survey, three quarters (74%) of Tajik migrants have already been able to send remittances home in December (in April 2020, there were only 51%). The share of small remittances practically did not change: approximately the same part of labour migrants from Tajikistan sent home up to 5 thousand rubies (11% in Aprii 2020 and 13% in December 2020). The share of average remittances (from 15 to 20 thousand rubles) increased (in April 2020, 14% of migrants transferred home this amount of money, in December 2020 their share raised up to 16%). The amount of money from 20 to 30 thousand rubies was remitted by 12% of migrants in April 2020, and by 22% of migrants in December 2020. The share of large money transfers (over 30 thousand rubles) did not change (11% both in April and December 2020). The study showed that the greatest contribution to the restoration of remittances to their homeland and the economic support of families in Tajikistan was made by migrants, who transferred home from a 1/3 to 1/2 of their wages (22% and 18% of respondents, respectiveiy).
Aithough remittances to Tajikistan feii sharpiy during the pandemic, they recovered relatively quickly in the second half of 2020. Remittances were a significant help to families in Tajikistan during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Health ofTajik migrants in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic
Due to the suspension of the work of enterprises and construction projects, as well as restrictions on movement (self-isolation regime) in April - May 2020, many Tajik migrants in large cities of Russia found themselves in cramped rooms with poor hygienic conditions (hostels, hostels, cheap hotels, trailers) [4]. Only a small proportion of migrants can rent housing on their own. As a rule, these are inexpensive apartments for several people, in which several relatives, fellow countrymen and acquaintances live. In April 2020, the average number of Tajik migrants living in one dwelling was four people, and in February 2021 it amounted to 3.8 people. In April 2020, every fifth respondent (22%) lived with four neigh-
12 Ob'yem denezhnykh perevodov iz Rossii upal na tret' iz-za koronavirusa [The volume of remittances from Russia fell by a third due to coronavirus] // Fergana News : [site]. 07.04.2020. URL: https://fergana.media/news/116834/ (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
13 Sokolov, A. Kak migranty vyzhivayut v krizis [How migrants survive in a crisis] // Vedomosti : [site]. 16.07.2020. URL: https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/articles/2020/07/16/834690-migranti-vizhivayut (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
bors, and in February 2021, every third respondent lived with three roommates or apartment mates. In these conditions, it was impossible to maintain physical distancing, which increased the risks of infection with COVID-19.
In April 2020, to the question "Has COVID-19 affected you or your family or friends?" the respondents answered: "no one from my circle got sick" (95%); "I was not sick, but my family members, friends and acquaintances were sick" (4%); "yes, I was sick" (1%). In February 2021, about 11% of the respondents said that they had coronavirus and this was confirmed by tests. Another 23% assumed that they had been infected, but did not take the tests or testing did not confirm the presence of the virus. Also, to the question "How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your immediate environment?" the following results were obtained: 47% of the respondents said that friends and acquaintances were ill; 42% - family members got infected, 31% - friends or acquaintances died; 6% - family members died. That is, by February 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic did not affect only 22% of the Tajik migrants surveyed, their family members, friends and acquaintances.
Fig. 3. Distribution of answers of respondents - labour migrants from Tajikistan to the questions "Have you been sick with COVID-19?" and "How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your immediate environment?" in February 2021 (%)
Note: When answering the question "How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your immediate environment?" respondents could give several answers
It was very difficult for Tajik migrants to call an ambulance or go to a hospital during the pandemic, although according to Russian laws, hospitals were required to treat migrants free of charge, and many registered migrants were required to have a compulsory medical insurance policy. Facts of death of migrants who were not provided with medical assistance on time were recorded. According to expert estimates, taking into account the age, social proportions of the population, and medical statistics, in July 2020, the number of migrants who had been infected was about 50 thousand people14.
14 Sokolov, A. Kak migranty vyzhivayut v krizis [How migrants survive in a crisis] // Vedomosti : [site]. 16.07.2020. URL: https://www.vedomosti.ru/society/articles/2020/07/16/834690-migranti-vizhivayut (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
Social support for Tajik migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic
The share of migrants who did not receive material assistance dropped significantly from 91% in April 2020 to 57% in February 202!. But unfortunately, many of the Tajik migrants interviewed were not covered by material assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the activity of some actors who provided assistance to labour migrants increased: fellow countrymen (from 5% to 11%), employers (from 3% to 11%), non-governmental organizations and volunteers (from 1% to 7%), the Russian authorities (from 0.25% to 7%), friends and neighbors (up to 5%), relatives (up to 3%). Unfortunately, the low share of the Embassy of Tajikistan in providing material assistance to respondents remained practically unchanged either in April 2020 or in February 2021.
Fig. 4. Distribution of answers of respondents - labour migrants from Tajikistan to the question "Did you receive material assistance (money, food, medical supplies)?"
in April 2020 and February 2021 (%)
Other non-governmental organizations also carried out significant work to provide assistance to various groups of labour migrants. About 3% of respondents noted the help from the volunteers of the Tajik organization "NUR", which helped migrants during the pandemic, especially those left without work and livelihood. A Special Assistance Center for Migrants Diagnosed with COVID-19 was established by Tong Jahoni. The center provided assistance with food packages, legal advice and employment. The Federation of Russian Migrants in close contact with the leaders of the Tajik diasporas in Moscow organized the work of volunteers to distribute food packages to migrants in hostels and posted up-to-date vacancies for migrants during the quarantine period [5].
During the pandemic, Tajik entrepreneurs and businessmen also took a proactive position. In Tajikistan, businessman M. Bobodjonov donated 100 thousand dollars (1 million somoni) to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including assisting migrants in Russia15. In Moscow, a Tajik businessman R. M. Bobochonov allocated 3 million rubles to help compatriot labour migrants who lost their livelihoods due to the quarantine measures in Russia. In
15 80-letniy biznesmen iz Tadzhikistana pozhertvoval $100 tysyach na borbu s koronavirusom [80-year-old businessman from Tajikistan donated $100,000 to fight coronavirus] // M Bulak : [site]. 10.06.2020. URL: https://www.molbulak.ru/news/tadzhikistan/80-letniy-biznesmen-iz-tadzhikistana-pozhertvoval-100-tysyach-na-borbu-s-koronavirusom/ (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
Kaluga, a co-owner of a construction company, K. Naimov, provided housing and work at construction sites in the Kaluga Region for many Tajik migrants during the quarantine16.
That is, we should note a high degree of cohesion and solidarity shown by the representatives of the Tajik communities in difficult times, providing assistance to migrants who were left without work and means of subsistence.
Fig. 5. NUR volunteers help Tajik migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic in Moscow
Source: Sputnik Tajikistan17
Conclusion and recommendations for improving the state of Tajik migrants in Russia
The situation of Tajik labour migrants in Russia has repeatedly become the subject of discussion at the highest level. It is no coincidence that during the official visit to Russia of the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Emomali Rahmon in May 2021 at a meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin discussed the problem of a shortage of workers in the Russian labour market [6]. In particular, the Russian president said: "It is an important issue for labour migrants. I know that this issue is sensitive for Tajikistan. We are doing everything to make people feel comfortable, especially since we currently do not have enough working hands in entire sectors of the economy"18.
16 Svoikh ne brosayem: kak tadzhikskiy biznesmen pomog migrantam vo vremya pandemii [We don't abandon our people: how a Tajik businessman helped migrants during a pandemic] // Sputnik Tajikistan : [site]. 11.04.2020. URL: https://tj.sputniknews.ru/20200411/migranty-koronavirus-rabota-tajikistan-1031048760.html (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
17 Zabota o migrantakh: volontery pomogli 350 tadzhikskim sem'yam Moskvy [Caring for migrants: volunteers helped 350 Tajik families in Moscow] // Sputnik Tajikistan : [site]. 13.04.2020. URL: https:// tj.sputniknews.ru/20200413/tajikistan-moscow-migranti-pomoshch-1031056071.html (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
18 Vstrecha s Prezidentom Tadzhikistana Emomali Rakhmonom [Meeting with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon] // Kremlin.ru : [site]. 08.09.2021. URL: http://www.kremlin.ru/events/ president/news/65543 (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
In 2020, the deficit of labour migrants who left Russia due to the pandemic and did not return was estimated at 1.5-2 million people19. This deficit has already led to a 30% increase in the cost of labour for construction specialties and, as a consequence, to an increase in prices for the construction objects themselves20. There are not enough migrants in Russia for construction, agriculture, industry and other sectors of economy. During the coro-navirus restrictions, the idea of an organized recruitment of labour from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan gained a new birth. An agreement on the organized recruitment of labour migrants was signed between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tajikistan on April 17, 201921, and in April 2021 an Algorithm (program) of actions for the organized attraction of labour migrants to the Russian economy was approved22. However, this mechanism has not yet been worked out and needs to be developed [7].
The study provides some recommendations for the development of migration policy in order to improve the situation of labour migrants and opportunities to use their labour potential in the interests of Russia and Tajikistan:
1. Political measures:
1.1. Develop bilateral relations between government bodies and business of the Russian Federation and the Republic ofTajikistan in terms of improving the mechanisms and infrastructure of regulated labour migration to transfer undocumented and unorganized labour migration into the form of an organized recruitment of labour from Tajikistan to Russia.
1.2. Coordinate the actions of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, as well as transit countries (the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic) in the restoration of transport links and air transportation, ensuring the possibility of movement of labour migrants to the place of work and safe return to their homeland after the completion of the employment contract.
1.3. Organize permanent and accessible hot lines and duty departments at the embassy and consulates of the Republic of Tajikistan to resolve operational problematic issues, issue documents to Tajik migrants who have found themselves in difficult life situations during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Russian Federation.
19 Na rossiyskikh stroykakh ne khvatayet 2 mln trudovykh migrantov [Russian construction sites lack 2 million labor migrants] // RBC : [site]. 08.02.2022. URL: https://realty.rbc.ru/ news/62025a7a9a7947768ecd0c3b (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
20 Ibidem.
21 Soglasheniye mezhdu Pravitel'stvom Rossiyskoy Federatsii i Pravitel'stvom Respubliki Tadzhikistan ob organizovannom nabore grazhdan Respubliki Tadzhikistan dlya osushchestvleniya vremennoy trudovoy deyatel'nosti na territorii Rossiyskoy Federatsii (Moskva, 17 aprelya 2019 g.) [Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan on the organized recruitment of citizens of the Republic of Tajikistan for temporary labor activities on the territory of the Russian Federation (Moscow, April 17, 2019)] // Garant : [site]. URL: https://base. garant.ru/72229294/ (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
22 Algoritm deystviy po privlecheniyu v ekonomiku Rossiyskoy Federatsii inostrannykh grazhdan (utv. protokolom zasedaniya Operativnogo shtaba po preduprezhdeniyu zavoza i rasprostraneniya novoy koronavirusnoy infektsii na territorii RF ot 09.09.2021 N 19kv) [Algorithm of actions to attract foreign citizens to the economy of the Russian Federation (approved by the minutes of the meeting of the Operational Headquarters for the prevention of the import and spread of a new coronavirus infection in the territory of the Russian Federation dated 09.09.2021 N 19kv)] // Consultant Plus : [site]. URL: https://www. consultant. ru/document/cons_doc_LAW_398654/42c4722f0fd6be29f704206a2fed4ab51660816b/ (accessed on 08.10.2022). (In Russ.)
1.4. Conduct negotiations on the possibility of legalizing (amnestying) undocumented migrants from the Republic of Tajikistan in the Russian Federation by the end of 2021 after the termination of the special registration procedure from June 15, 2021.
2. Socio-economic measures:
2.1. Governments, international organizations of the UN system and donors are to provide direct support to Tajik labour migrants who lost their jobs and health during the pandemic, as well as families of labour migrants in Tajikistan, left without remittances and livelihoods due to the loss of breadwinners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2.2. Expand targeted food assistance and free meals to migrants in Russia and Tajikistan who have suffered from COVID-19, lost their jobs, received disabilities. Create mobile teams to distribute free food packages, protective equipment and hygiene products in places where migrants are concentrated (at construction sites, enterprises, hostels).
2.3. Develop a system of socially affordable housing in Russian regions with the support from employers and the government and providing registration at the place of stay for labour migrants.
2.4. Distribute information on job vacancies for migrant workers in other regions and sectors of the Russian economy with growing needs for labour force.
2.5. For remittance systems and commercial banks - to reduce fees for transferring funds from migrant workers in Russia to their family members in Tajikistan until the employment and wages are fully restored afreK the pandemic.
3. Medical measures:
3.1. Governments and international organizations of the UN system are to organize a unified system for monitoring the health status of migrant workers in cases of infection with COVID-19.
3.2. Provide information support to Tajik labour migrants on the principles of health and measures related to the prevention of COVID-19 disease. It is important to make the recommendations available and publish them in the Tajik language. Communicate information to migrants through targeted advertising on social networks.
3.3. Provide more complete access to medical care for migrants, that is, the ability to go to a doctor and any medical institution for testing and receive medical care in case of illness within the framework of existing health insurance policies.
3.4. Make vaccination free for all migrants in Tajikistan and Russia, regardless of whether they have a policy. Conduct an information campaign among labour migrants about the need for vaccination against COVID-19.
References
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Bio note:
Sergey V. Ryazantsev, RAS Corresponding Member, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, Director, Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia.
Contact information: e-mail: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5306-8875; RSCI Author ID: 77673; Web of Science Researcher ID: F-7205-2014; Scopus Author ID: 22136228700.
Osim K. Kasymov, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Researcher, Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia.
Contact information: e-mail: [email protected]; RSCI Author ID: 1061428.
Zafar K. Vazirov, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Leading Researcher, Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia.
Contact information: e-mail: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9318-6873; RSCI Author ID: 943543; Web of Science Researcher ID: S-7156-2018; Scopus Author ID: 57194508693.
Faizona M. Garibova, Junior Researcher, Istitute for Demographic Research FCTAS RAS, Moscow, Russia. Contact information: e-mail: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6041-8204; RSCI Author ID: 1088134; Scopus Author ID: 57209849301.
Acknowledgments and financing:
The reported study was funded by Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR), project No. 20-011-00526.
Received on 03.10.2022; accepted for publication on 05.12.2022. The authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
ВЛИЯНИЕ ПАНДЕМИИ COVID-19 НА ПОЛОЖЕНИЕ МИГРАНТОВ ИЗ ТАДЖИКИСТАНА НА РОССИЙСКОМ РЫНКЕ ТРУДА
Рязанцев С. В.
Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия E-mail: [email protected]
Касымов О. К.
Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия E-mail: [email protected]
Вазиров З. К.
Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия E-mail: [email protected]
Гарибова Ф. М.
Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия E-mail: [email protected]
Для цитирования: Рязанцев, С. В. Влияние пандемии COVID-19 на положение мигрантов из Таджикистана на российском рынке труда / С. В. Рязанцев, О. К. Касымов, З. К. Вазиров, Ф. М. Гарибова // ДЕМИС. Демографические исследования. 2022. Т. 2, № 4. С. 45-57. DOI 10.19181/demis.2022.2.4.3. EDN OINTXY.
Аннотация. В статье рассматривается положение трудовых мигрантов из Таджикистана, оказавшихся в затруднительной ситуации во время пандемии COVID-19 в России. Исследование основано на статистических данных и двух опросах общественного мнения, проведенных сотрудниками Института демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН в апреле 2020 г. и январе 2021 г. Результаты исследования позволили выявить ключевые проблемы, с которыми столкнулись таджикские трудовые мигранты в России в период пандемии COVID-19. Согласно результатам опроса, временные трудовые мигранты из Таджикистана столкнулись с социальными и экономическими трудностями во время пандемии в России. Ограничительные меры значительно осложнили их положение. Многие не смогли покинуть Россию из-за закрытия границ. Во время карантина они потеряли работу и средства к существованию. Потеря доходов привела к проблемам как для самих мигрантов, оставшихся в России, так и для их семей в Таджикистане, которые не могли получать денежные переводы. Кроме того, многие трудовые мигранты столкнулись с дополнительными рисками для здоровья из-за неудовлетворительных санитарно-гигиенических условий в местах их проживания. Значительная часть мигрантов сообщила о том, что они испытывали трудности, когда пытались получить медицинскую помощь, пройти тест на COVID или вакцинацию. Однако многие трудовые мигранты из Таджикистана, которые потеряли источники заработка во время карантина в апреле - мае 2020 г., постепенно смогли адаптироваться к новым социально-экономическим условиям, восстановить денежные доходы и продолжить оказывать помощь своим семьям на родине. В заключении статьи предлагаются рекомендации по оказанию помощи мигрантам из Таджикистана, оказавшимся в трудной ситуации за границей во время пандемии. По мнению авторов, помощь должна предоставляться и в политической, и в социально-экономической, и в медицинской сферах.
Ключевые слова: трудовая миграция; российский рынок труда; таджикские мигранты; COVID-19 пандемия; проблемы мигрантов; помощь мигрантам.
Информация об авторах:
Рязанцев Сергей Васильевич, член-корреспондент РАН, доктор экономических наук, профессор, директор, Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия.
Контактная информация: e-mail: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-5306-8875; РИНЦ Author ID: 77673; Web of Science Researcher ID: F-7205-2014; Scopus Author ID: 22136228700.
Касымов Осим Касымович, кандидат экономических наук, научный сотрудник, Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия.
Контактная информация: e-mail: [email protected]; РИНЦ Author ID: 1061428.
ВазировЗафар Кабутович, кандидат экономических наук, ведущий научный сотрудник, Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия.
Контактная информация: e-mail: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-9318-6873; РИНЦ Author ID: 943543; Web of Science Researcher ID: S-7156-2018; Scopus Author ID: 57194508693.
Гарибова Фарзона Майбалиевна, младший научный сотрудник, Институт демографических исследований ФНИСЦ РАН, Москва, Россия.
Контактная информация: e-mail: [email protected]; ORCID ID: 0000-0001-6041-8204; РИНЦ Author ID: 1088134; Scopus Author ID: 57209849301.
Благодарности и финансирование:
Исследование выполнено при финансовой поддержке РФФИ в рамках научного проекта № 20-011-00526.
Статья поступила в редакцию 03.10.2022; принята в печать 05.12.2022.
Авторы прочитали и одобрили окончательный вариант рукописи.
