Participants of an EEF 2025 thematic session titled, "Common Labor Market: Challenges and Prospects", addressed the functioning of the Union's shared labor market, current issues, and strategic directions for growth. The session, held on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Forum in Minsk, was moderated by Bakhyt Sultanov, minister for economy and financial policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission.
"For the EAEU, the common labor market acts as a key indicator of the effectiveness of Eurasian integration, as its quality largely determines whether citizens experience tangible benefits from integration and have trust in these", the EEC minister said in his opening remarks.
According to Sultanov, over its ten-year history, the Union has ensured equal employment access for EAEU citizens, recognized educational qualifications for job purposes, and addressed social and pension security issues for migrant workers.
"These measures have led to a significant increase in mobility: the annual flow of labor migrants grew from 770,000 in 2016 to over 1 million in 2024", Sultanov said.
The session examined prospects for advancing the common labor market, with a focus on improving the legal framework. The Commission continuously monitors changes in the national legislation of EAEU member states to ensure alignment with Union laws on labor migration.
Digitalization of labor migration processes was named a significant vector for advancing the common market. Participants agreed that there is a need for joint efforts to promote and implement digital solutions. They noted that digitalization would not only help optimize procedures but also provide EAEU citizens with more comprehensive and timely information about employment opportunities and terms, minimizing barriers and the risks of illegal migration.
The session paid special attention to platform-based employment, which is growing rapidly but currently lacks supranational regulation within the EAEU. Regulation of this form of employment is still evolving in the Union's member states.
"Our future success depends on the ability to respond promptly to change, propose effective measures, and consider the needs of the Union's citizens", Bakhyt Sultanov said. "It is important to involve the widest possible range of stakeholders in this work."
The discussion included representatives from government agencies, businesses, trade unions, and international organizations. Many initiatives voiced during the session will be further developed by the EEC together with EAEU member states to advance and improve the effectiveness of the common labor market.
