The Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been able to build a labour market which has proven to be resilient in the face of a difficult international situation. However, a range of issues continue to exist in relation to healthcare for migrant workers and financial literacy. New digital products and conditions need to be put in place to ensure the development of the EAEU’s labour market. These should improve workers’ access to, among other things, social protection and healthcare. Those were the conclusions reached at a roundtable entitled Eurasian Dialogue on the Labour Market: Human Capital and Healthcare. The event was held as part of the Eurasian Economic Forum.
KEY CONCLUSIONS
The Eurasian Economic Union’s single labour market has been created and has proven to be resilient
“It is the view of experts today that the EAEU’s single labour market has been created, and that the EAEU has fully liberalized legislation in this area. <...> It is important to note that despite the difficult international situation, our countries’ labour markets are proving themselves to be resilient when compared to those of many other countries. At the same time, they need to be transformed in line with today’s challenges,” Mikhail Ivankov, Head, Federal Labour and Employment Service.
“The union has made labour migration a mutually beneficial process. It helps manage the movement of labour between nations, and fosters rapid socioeconomic growth in each country,” Kudaibergen Bazarbaev, Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“Labour migration plays an important role in our countries’ economies. Efforts to employ people in strict accordance with the law of the country in question are primarily aimed at the migrants themselves. This policy is being implemented by EAEU member states, but we must not stop there,” Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.
“The process of free movement is progressing apace. In numerical terms, since the signing of the EAEU Treaty, annual labour migration within the union increased from 800,000 in 2016 to 1.7 million in 2022. These figures demonstrate how the population of the EAEU is enjoying increased mobility,” Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Member of the Board (Minister) for Economics and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
PROBLEMS
A disparity in supply and demand on the EAEU’s labour market, and significant differences in working conditions across EAEU member states
“A recent study of the region by the IOM [International Organization for Migration – ed.] showed that a very large proportion of migrants are not registered, and do not have all the necessary documents. Our data also shows that a disparity is arising between the demand for specialists, and the supply of said professionals. Of course, this results in lower labour productivity, and some economic accomplishments are lost. <...> Unfortunately, migrants continue to have a low level of financial literacy,” Antonio Vitorino, General Director, International Organization for Migration.
“Of course, we know that working conditions vary significantly [across EAEU member states – ed.]. And not just working conditions, but the socioeconomic environment too. Factors affecting the health of migrant workers vary greatly, and there are also issues surrounding healthcare and access to social protection,” Melita Vujnovic, Representative, World Health Organization Office in the Russian Federation.
“We are currently seeing a substantial blurring of what is meant by employer-employee relations due to remote working, platform employment, the growth of self-employment, and much else. This serves as further confirmation that the labour market does not operate as such per se – it is more like a skills market,” Robert Urazov, General Director, Skills and Professions Development Agency.
“New forms of working are emerging faster than legislation is able to keep pace. This gives rise to risks for all those involved. Without regulation of the labour market, people operate in the shadows,” Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Member of the Board (Minister) for Economics and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
SOLUTIONS
Developing and implementing the digital products needed to develop the single labour market throughout the EAEU
“It is clear that in order to further develop the single labour market, it is essential to employ the latest digital technology in the field. We have already begun work on digitalizing employment. A unified job-search system entitled Work without Borders has been launched. <...> Work is under way to fine-tune a Eurasian electronic labour exchange, which will function as a digital ecosystem. We must also continue to digitalize the population’s employment,” Anton Kotyakov, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.
“A three-tiered system for forecasting the labour market has been developed in Belarus. This is primarily based on the development of projected balance of labour resources,” Irina Kostevich, Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus.
“In order to simplify the employment process, we are working on a mobile app for migrant workers. This will allow them to apply for the necessary documents in advance, such as their personal insurance policy number and taxpayer identification number. It is also important to develop a system to forecast the needs of our countries’ economies in relation to labour resources, and to come up with ways of attracting workers accordingly,” Elena Mukhtiyarova, Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation.
“The ILO [International Labour Organization – ed.] also recommends the development of an international system to regulate aspects pertaining to platform employment,” Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Member of the Board (Minister) for Economics and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
Improving the education system, and access to financial products and healthcare
“Member states and other stakeholders should implement coordinated mechanisms that will enable them to identify the challenges that need addressing. <...> We need migration to be safe and well-organized. <...> It is crucial to develop, uphold, and publicize financial products which could help migrants and recipients of remittances. There needs to be wide-scale access to digital services,” Antonio Vitorino, General Director, International Organization for Migration.
“In order to develop the EAEU’s single labour market, we propose improving the vocational and technical education system in line with the needs of the labour market. We also suggest establishing centres providing certification and recognition of qualifications. This way we can ensure harmonization and consistent requirements across EAEU member states. <...> A unified system to protect the safety of workers and their families could also be developed and introduced. We should create an environment conducive to the stable growth of labour productivity,” Kudaibergen Bazarbaev, Minister of Labour, Social Protection and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic.
“It is crucial to make it easier for workers and members of their families to access social protection and healthcare in the country they are employed. The commission is working together with international partners on a project to raise awareness of modern protection and health standards among workers. <...> We need to work in a coordinated manner. Countries where the workers come from should develop national systems offering pre-departure training. Meanwhile, host countries should help ensure that workers and their families enjoy comfortable living conditions and are able to successfully adapt,” Bakytzhan Sagintayev, Member of the Board (Minister) for Economics and Financial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
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