The number of laborers working in the field of Russia has decreased by 15-20 % in the first quarter of 2025, reaching 500,000 people in absolute indicators. This data was released by the head of the National Construction Association (Nostroy) Anton Glushkov in the Russian XVI International Economic Forum – Islamic World: Kazanforum 2025.
At the same time, the percentage of foreign workers in the overall structure of people working in the industry increased to 14-15 %, experts said. According to Glushkov, the current motivation is due to two factors: reducing labor demand due to construction activities slow and tightening the migration law. He noted that these processes have positive aspects, although they affect the personnel situation.
The head of Nostroy has attracted attention to the increasing competition for labor resources from Central Asia. The traditional markets of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, for a long time, have provided to workers in the Russian Federation, currently attracting companies from UAE and Saudi Arabia. In this regard, as expected Glushkov, India and Pakistan can become a new source of personnel for Russia. An example, he called Kyrgyzstan, where Pakistan migrants actively put into labor processes.
The main barrier to attract workers from these countries, according to experts, is not a visa mode, but a requirement of a compulsory paragraph of the test in Russian. Glushkov emphasized that on the construction site, the ability to read technical documents and no language training, is still an important skill. This position, as he added, is divided in specialized departments, including the Ministry of Home Affairs.