Labor Migration In RF Amid Border Closure

The RF authorities banned entrance to the country for all foreigners and stateless persons from March 18, 2020 till May 1, 2020. Nearly simultaneously the authorities of main contributing countries of immigrant workforce to Russia commenced closing their borders. That means that the vast majority of migrant workers who were planning their return home during the spring months will not be able to do it. At the same time, those who were to come to Russia to replace them and those who are seasonal workers in Russia during spring-summer time will not be able to come either. Precisely that period (including early autumn) according to yearlong monitoring accounts for the maximum number of arrivals of migrant workers in Russia. It is already obvious that the customary annual cycle of labor migration in Russia (decline in late autumn and winter and increase in spring-summer) will be significantly disrupted. In the context of the current economic development in Russia and problems engulfing the labor market this fact can be can to a certain extent be a blessing in disguise