Support The Moscow Times!

Siberian Region Bans Migrant Workers Amid Tensions Over Rape Case

Moskva News Agency

A Siberian region rocked by allegations that Central Asian migrants raped a local woman has banned foreign workers from being employed in 33 fields.

Earlier this month, three suspects believed to be from Kyrgyzstan were detained on charges of kidnapping and raping a resident of Yakutsk, sparking rallies and raids against migrants.

Sakha Governor Aysen Nikolayev on Wednesday signed a decree that bars migrant workers from sectors including transport, commerce, construction and agriculture.

The bans apply to migrants who hold special work patents, as well as citizens of Azerbaijan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine.

Regional employers have been given three months to fire migrant workers employed in the specified fields, the decree said.

Officials in the republic of Sakha said the employment bans are unrelated to the recent surge in anti-migrant sentiments, adding that such bans date back at least two years in the region.

The bans, designed to boost native employment in specific lines of work, expanded from 14 areas of activity in 2017 to 16 in 2018.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more