Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

Russian companies should find it reasonable to open joint ventures in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and other CIS countries in order to reduce production costs and number of migrants from these countries.

This was stated by the first deputy head of the International Committee of the Federation Council Vladimir Jabarov.

In particular, he noted that there are a lot of workforce in Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and other CIS countries and it is widely known.

Therefore, it would be reasonable to open a part of joint ventures there.

The Russian official cited the example of South Korean automobile plant Daewoo Nexia, which was opened on the territory of Uzbekistan, and noted that Russia could also enter the Uzbek market and launch production of Lada cars there.

“The work of such enterprises has great potential. The vast majority of migrants from Central Asia, no matter how hard they try, cannot secure a high and even normal standard of living in Russia, they are cut off from families and home,” Jabarov emphasized.

For the CIS countries the launch of joint ventures with Russia is an opportunity to employ their citizens in their homeland, while Russia could substantially reduce the cost of production and, therefore, goods produced due to cheap labor.

Earlier, Russia and Uzbekistan signed agreements under which migrant workers will have the opportunity of formal and targeted employment.

The document suggests making the process of labor migration from Uzbekistan more organized. Migrants will go to Russia, knowing in advance where they will work, live and how much they will be paid.

Before they leave, the migrants will have to undergo a certain test and preparation. The Uzbek Labor Ministry will have to conduct training for citizens under the programs of the Russian Education Ministry, check qualifications and experience and conduct medical examination of migrants. The Ministry of Internal Affairs will have to check the absence of citizens in the number of wanted persons and for the existence of outstanding convictions.

In addition, the Russian employer will have to provide the recruited foreign workers with a place of residence, the corresponding sanitary and hygienic standards and a payment not lower than the subsistence minimum. The employer should also conclude an agreement with the sending party, where all the nuances will be prescribed. In Russia, such labor migrants will have the advantage of being employed by other temporary workers from Uzbekistan.

Russia offers visa-free entry for the citizens of Uzbekistan. Once in Russia, they have 30 days in which to locate employment and obtain a work patent.

Migrants from Uzbekistan are one of the most numerous groups of foreign workers on the Russian territory. According to various estimates, there are more than 2 million citizens of Uzbekistan in Russia. They annually transfer about $3 billion, which is a significant item of foreign exchange earnings for Uzbekistan, to their homeland.

As of January 20, 2015, 2.2 million Uzbek citizens stay in Russia, of which 81 percent is of working-age population, according to Russia’s Federal Migration Service.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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