Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Social Sciences

First Advisor

Hicks, Barbara

Keywords

Russia, Immigration, Immigrants, Migrant Workers, Xenophobia

Area of Concentration

International and Area Studies

Abstract

This study examines the policies concerning migrant workers in Russia and the difficulties they face navigating the Russian labor system. The Russian Federation has endured a declining population over the past two decades, and immigration is considered a solution to the risks associated with negative population growth. Russia has the second highest rate of immigration; however, policy does not encourage immigration into Russia. Immigration policy is increasingly more restrictive, which pushes migrants into an informal, undocumented labor sector. Migrant workers are habitually exploited as they are vulnerable to abuse from their irregular labor status. A hostile Russian environment contributes to this dynamic. Migrants in Russia face heavy nationalism and xenophobia, which contribute to anti-immigrant sentiment. This contentious atmosphere legitimizes employer and police illegal behavior towards migrants, and encourages further restrictive, and ineffective migration policy.

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