Volgograd farmers criticize work of Migrant Assistance Centre

The Migrant Assistance Centre, opened in Volgograd, will minimize the time for obtaining work patents, the Centre claims. However, both employers and migrants complain about long queues and delays in issuance of medical certificates.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that from January 1, 2015, the rules of entry to Russia and employment of foreign citizens were amended. Migrants now need to receive a patent after passing exams in the Russian language, history and law, and receiving a health care insurance. According to the regional department of the Federal Migration Service (FMS), the amendments allowed increasing tax revenues from foreign citizens' incomes, and legalizing workers.

The above Centre began its work on January 26; and during the first week serviced some 800 people, said Maxim Maximov, the executive director of the Migrant Assistance Centre of the Volgograd Region.

According to his story, in the Volgograd Region, migrants mostly get jobs in agriculture. He noted that migrants spend time to get to the new Centre, but "receive documents faster than ever before."

The employees of the Centre have not built up their work, said Elena Tupikova, a farmer from the Sredneakhtubinsky District, who brought her workers for registration to the Centre. According to her story, the medical unit is protracting all other services.

She noted that it is important that the Centre cope with the inflow of seasonal workers, which usually takes place from February to April.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.