CoD: Migrant issue

The Russian society is stuck between the hammer and anvil.

As freedom of moving was restricted in the Soviet Union, all migrations in the SU were under state planning and control. This way, the country rulers could spread competent working resources more evenly.

In 1990s, with the removal of propiska and other restrictions, some regions of Russia experienced the inflow from neighbouring FSU republics. Migrants from Central Asia and Caucaus came as a surprise. As these migrants were unwelcomed, they relied on their ethnical peers, creating powerful (and sometimes crime-oriented) ethnic communities in Russian megapolises. Domestic population was completely unprepared for this process - unlike in Europe, it took not generations but mere years.

Obviously, migrants are there for a reason. They wouldn't come if there were no place for them. Migrants took work that was unwanted by locals: garbage workers, loaders, shiftmen, builders etc. Migrants are cheap, they have no rights, they have few connections, they can be deceived easily, so they are more convinient in a way. On the other hand, they see domestic culture as hostile and bring their own culture as a part of protection - increasing hostility of locals because they do not want to integrate. Migrant ethnical mafia is another logical consequence - since these people have no rights, they are marginalized, they can easily be made involved into criminal affairs, or become a subject of such affairs...

Now the backlash from domestic communities comes. They want Russia for Russians. They want jobs for locals and not for migrants. They want migration under control. Those who speak of 'Russian fascism' are tremendously stupid (or cunning enough to manipulate the term) - national socialism in Germany and Italy has completely different roots. You must blame modern Holland and France if you blame Russia for 'fascism' - the anti-migrant stance could be clearly expected.

Few days ago a new regulation entered into power, limiting number of work permits to 6 mln and share of foreigners trading in indoor/outdoor markets to no more than 40 percent. A populist move obviously will be welcomed by public - but will it resove the problem? German Gref already called to delay this new law, and said the government may introduce changes to the law.

My own consideration is that, indeed, these measures are double-edged. There are positive sides: for instance, but introducing this law the government will show its radical critics it is up to handle the problem. On the other hand, outlawed migrants will further be marginalized and criminalized. Especially - because some industries are substantially formed by migrants, this law is lileky to introduce distortions: higher prices, less competitive environment, lower quality...

So the hammer is economic pressure for what migrants bring in - cheap and qualitative workforce. Anvil is reaction of society to what migrants bring with them - their own culture, their ethnical community, their hostility towards locals, their criminal activities...

There is no simple solution to this situation. You need education, you need integration programs, you need nurture of multi-culturalism attitude etc etc. It is a big issue whether slow-reacting, poor-qualified, corrupted and overconfident Russian authorities can really handle the problem.