Socialization of migrant workers: nationalism and discrimination

Abstract

The article continues the topic of the socialization of labor migrants in Russian cities. During the analysis, four groups of migrants' complaints about their stay in Russia were identified: problems with accommodation, legal support, nationalism towards them, and discrimination. The latter two are considered together because labor migrants experience certain discrimination based on nationalist sentiments from local residents and officials. Five types of assessments are identified in each of the selected groups of labor migrants (pessimists, dissatisfied, undecided, satisfied, and optimists). It is shown that the problem of nationalism and discrimination is particularly acute for pessimists and dissatisfied people. Among the factors of nationalism, there are the infringement of migrants' rights on the basis of their nationality, excessive tightening of migration control, refusal to hire them due to the complexity of the procedures for registering foreign workers, and difficulties in acquiring real estate. It is concluded that migrants' perception of discrimination stems from extreme forms of domestic instability, poor living conditions, and difficulties in obtaining medical care, which are exacerbated by the disregard shown towards them by some members of the government. At the same time, migrants have a need to integrate into Russian society, and many of them have already come to Russia to work several times.