Amid ethnic unrest, Russian governor bans migrant workers from dozens of jobs in construction, farming, and public transport

11:40 am, March 28, 2019

Source: Meduza

Aisen Nikolaev, the governor of Yakutia, has signed an executive order prohibiting the employment of foreign citizens in 33 different fields. The new policy bans registered migrant workers from taking jobs in agriculture, construction, and catering, as well as passenger public transport. Local enterprises in these fields have three months to fire all foreign citizens.

What on Earth prompted this crackdown? In mid-March, Yakutia witnessed several protests against migrant workers, after a Kyrgyz immigrant was charged with raping a local woman. Following the crime, several migrant workers in Yakutsk have received threats and even been attacked, leading many migrants in the area to close shop and stay home from work.

For more about Yakutia's ethnic unrest

Government officials in Yakutia spoke in support of recent anti-migrant protests. Now, they’re blaming external provocations for the unrest.
Police in Yakutia detain several people for acts against migrant workers, following a rape case that has put the region on edge
Following protests against migrant workers in Yakutsk, dozens of bus drivers stay home from work and kiosk vendors are told to shut down for their own safety