Events

Lukashenko outlines Belarus’ approach to bringing in labor migrants

SHKLOV, 13 July (BelTA) - Belarus Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko set priorities regarding labor migration during a working trip to Shklov District, BelTA has learned.

The head of state recalled that this topic was discussed during the recent visit by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan to Minsk. Belarus is ready to employ citizens of that country.

Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that certain regions are particularly interested in this as they need to meet their staffing needs. “A decision was made to develop a system and invite people from abroad. Ukrainians have come. Many Russians are also coming to work with us. We recently held negotiations with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and I made him an offer. We have a system: the embassy makes an initial assessment of who is suitable and who is not. It is a manager (of an enterprise) must determine how many people they need and which specialties. They choose for themselves,” he said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that people from Uzbekistan are eager to come to work in Belarus. “A group of around 200 people will arrive here soon. For now, it is Vitebsk Oblast, because there is a real shortage of workforce there. We need to assess the needs of the southeast part of Mogilev Oblast: how many workers they need and what specialties,” the president said. “We shouldn’t cluster them all in one place. They should be spread out. We need working hands everywhere.”

The Belarusian side is also prepared to consider options for additional training and education for such personnel once they are already in Belarus. Qualified specialists, of course, would be especially welcome. “Preferably with families. A family person works well for us. People will be needed. And we really need them,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

However, the labor migration process must be regulated, including through the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. “There must be a system. We have one. It has been defined by me. It is a manager of an enterprise that can hire them. They bear responsibility for them,” the head of state said. "The process must be regulated. It must not be done haphazardly.”

“Therefore, selectively and purposefully. One, two, ten, twenty people. As many as an enterprise needs. Personal responsibility. The aides will keep this under control,” the Belarusian leader added. “It would be great if everything were done by our own people, Belarusians. But we sometimes don’t have enough working hands, and sometimes our people just don’t want to work. We cannot do without hiring labor from outside.”

As for Uzbekistan, Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that the discussion is not only about attracting labor migrants to Belarus’ agricultural sector. The proposal put forward during the negotiations envisions broad cooperation in food production, including investment, with subsequent export to Uzbekistan. For instance, based in Vitebsk Oblast. “Come, cultivate the land, pay taxes (everything as it should be) and we will sell that produce to Uzbekistan. A stable, rapidly growing market of 40 million people. We are ready to take people from there,” the head of state explained. “I said to them: please invest in Vitebsk Oblast. We are looking for an investor.”

In this regard, Head of the Belarus President Administration Dmitry Krutoi noted that the president of Uzbekistan will also keep the matter under his control: “After the meeting with you Shavkat Mirziyoyev gave instructions and will oversee the process. Only specialists will be sent.”

Dmitry Krutoi also provided data indicating that currently 7,000 citizens of Uzbekistan are registered in Belarus, some of whom are already employed in the economy. However, a large number are also students studying at various universities. It is quite possible that many of them will ultimately stay to work in Belarus.

The president emphasized that Belarus already has positive experience in attracting labor migrants who work honestly. He also highlighted the importance of creating proper living conditions for such people, providing housing and granting equal rights alongside Belarusian citizens. “Just come and work,” he said.

Summing up on the topic of attracting labor migrants, Aleksandr Lukashenko stated the following: “There is no need to be afraid of this. But they [the opponents] will always use this topic to stir things up.’