Labor migration policy of Russia is the struggle of opposites

In June 2012 the Russian president approved a document that defines the long-term migration policy of Russia until 2025. The mere fact of developing the long-awaited concept suggests that state men have finally turned their face to a long-overdue problem, and Russia's migration policy has interested the powers that be. After all, only according to official data provided by the FMS of Russia, more than ten million foreigners live and work in the federation. It's no secret that most of them entered the country illegally. And this is only official statistics. Many independent experts call much higher figures, and the newspapers are full of headlines about the dissatisfaction of the indigenous population with the influx of guest workers. So what is the state migration policy of the modern period?

First of all, in Russia there are two diametrically oppositeopposing views on the desirability of attracting labor from the near abroad. On the one hand, the authorities have repeatedly voiced the idea that only by attracting labor migrants, thanks to the use of a cheaper and more qualified labor force, it is possible to maintain the economic growth of the state and the welfare of the population.

But in reality, migration policy is soIt is not regulated that there is no need to talk about the mass influx of qualified personnel. Proceeding from this, a completely different opinion emerges - about the emergence of hidden unemployment due to the use of migrant labor. Gradually the share of the population with low incomes grows, ready to work with the underestimated level of a payment, only to have an opportunity to find a job. Low-paid unskilled work can not lead to an increase in labor productivity, and without it it is pointless to talk about economic growth.

Initiatives of Premier Medvedev, who believes thatthe migration policy should be toughened by increasing fines and introducing severe criminal responsibility for organizing illegal migration, are no longer preventive measures. Years of uncontrolled visa-free entry have created a kind of infrastructure in the field of migration legislation. Attracted migrant workers have created their debugged parallel world, with their branches of unofficial power. Meanwhile, the discontent of the indigenous population is growing everywhere, and it can not be said that the claims made are unfair. A number of Russian regions are oversaturated by labor migrants, and this situation creates competition in the labor market and translates into social tension. The existing migration policy does not solve the issues of tax payments, does not determine the order of medical care for visitors, does not provide a balance between migrants and local residents.

The principles and objectives laid down in the aforementioneda number of emerging issues. But too often, ideas and initiatives, voiced in the upper echelons of power, are perceived as an unquestioning guide to action and entail rash administrative decisions. Migration policy and the problems associated with it can not be subject to decisions made at the level of emotions. Toughening the degree of responsibility for illegal migration will not change the generally unfavorable picture.

To achieve positive changes in the field of labormigration is possible only with a comprehensive approach to the recognition of ongoing processes and their phased rectification. It remains to be hoped that this concept, as the first adopted document that determines the priorities of the state migration policy, will not remain on paper only and will eliminate the existing contradictions between the population of Russia and the visiting workers.