Russia to Recruit 1 Million Indian Workers by 2025 to Tackle Industrial Labour Shortages in Sverdlovsk and Other Regions.
International
Amid a deepening workforce crisis, Russia is preparing to bring in up to one million skilled Indian professionals by the end of 2025. The move, driven by a critical labour deficit, particularly targets industrial hubs like Sverdlovsk and is being facilitated through pilot agreements and expanded worker quotas.
- The Ural Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by Andrey Besedin, has revealed plans to invite up to 1 million Indian specialists—primarily to the Sverdlovsk region, known for heavy machinery, metallurgy, and tank manufacturing factories such as Uralmash and UralVagonZavod—which are grappling with labour shortages exacerbated by the conflict in Ukraine and declining birth rates.
- The Indian Ambassador to Russia, Vinay Kumar, confirmed a surge in consular demand as more Indian workers seek employment opportunities. He highlighted that Russian companies in machinery and electronics sectors are actively recruiting Indians within the bounds of Russian laws and quotas.
Main Point :- (i) Despite these announcements, Russia’s Labor Ministry has officially denied any plan to recruit 1 million Indian workers, clarifying that foreign labour intake is regulated by predetermined quotas—totaling approximately 234,900 for all foreign workers in 2025, including 71,817 specifically earmarked for Indian nationals. In the Sverdlovsk region, the current quota stands at just 4,343.
(ii) Russia's labour shortages are mounting rapidly. The Ministry of Labour forecasts a 3.1 million worker deficit by 2030. In response, the federal government is considering a 1.5-fold increase in the foreign worker quota for 2025 to ease the immediate strain while longer-term demographic challenges continue.
(iii) To support incoming workers, India is establishing an Indian consulate in Yekaterinburg, which will streamline consular services, visa processing, and worker assistance. Additionally, proposals are being considered to set up vocational training centres in India to equip potential migrants with language proficiency and technical skills aligned with Russian industrial requirements.
About Russia
Capital: Moscow
Prime minister: Mikhail Mishustin
____________________________
