Tatarstan labour minister on attracting workers from India

Tatarstan's minister of labour, employment and social protection, Elmira Zaripova, said India is a major source of young workers, with 7–8 million people entering its labour market each year and about 15 million Indian citizens working abroad. She spoke at a session during the II Russian-Indian business forum “TIME” in Kazan.

India supplies English-speaking engineering and IT specialists, medical staff and highly qualified welders, she said. Tatarstan universities host over 1,300 Indian students, a number that has nearly doubled in five years, and four leading universities have agreements with Indian universities.

Recruitment follows quotas set by the Russian government. Tatarstan has more than 3,000 quotas this year, and 1,051 work permits have been issued. Zaripova listed requirements including an official contract, pay not below the market rate, labour protection and a work permit.