Since July 10, the exam requirements for migrants, which test their knowledge of Russian language, history, and legislation, have been tightened. Businesses argue that this increased complexity is unnecessary for seasonal workers. Concurrently, the State Duma is considering a bill to exempt migrants arriving under government quotas from the language exam.
Effective July 10, the exam required for obtaining work permits or patents, which assesses knowledge of the Russian language, Russian history, and the basics of Russian legislation, has become more stringent. The number of listening comprehension tasks has increased from two to four, and minimum passing scores have now been introduced for this section. Furthermore, mandatory scores for both listening and speaking sections are now required for temporary residency or permanent residence permits. The Federal Service for Supervision in Education and Science (Rosobrnadzor) states that these measures are intended to enhance the objectivity of Russian language proficiency assessment and to motivate foreigners who wish to live and work in Russia to study the language. Meanwhile, the State Duma has approved in its first reading a bill to abolish the Russian language exam for migrants brought in by employers under government quotas.
Business Leaders Weigh In on Exam Challenges
President of the Association of Gardeners of Russia, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences
“Our associations have submitted three letters to both the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Education, requesting simplification of these requirements. We typically hire people for just two to three months specifically for apple harvesting, yet the process continues to get increasingly complicated. What are the practical outcomes of taking these exams? This year, we anticipate an excellent harvest across all regions, yielding at least two and a half million tons of apples, but currently, there’s no one to harvest them. Migrants arrive, and then they are shuffled into learning Russian language and history. Why does someone need Russian history if they came to earn money for a couple of days? Is this listening and speaking, in your opinion, superfluous? Who needs it? I understand if someone comes to Moscow to work as a taxi driver for a year; naturally, they need Russian. But if they`ve come from Uzbekistan for two months to pick apples, they see nothing but the dormitory, the cafeteria, and the orchard—they don`t need any of that. Their foreman speaks Russian, and that`s sufficient. What’s the real problem? Feed them, hydrate them, let them sleep—then go to work. Earned money, then go home. They spend a month trying to pass, and no one can. Teachers are hired, they teach in Russian, but the students don`t understand them. It would be funny if it weren`t so sad.”
Founder, CEO, and Owner of “Manufactura Malyugina,” sportswear manufacturer
“We haven`t felt the impact of these changes yet. In principle, language proficiency is a necessary thing, but I can`t comment on how it`s currently organized. However, I can say that when we hire people, we conduct our own assessment of their understanding; we talk to them. If they grasp what we`re saying, if we see that they comprehend, then it`s fine. But if they don`t understand, we simply won`t hire them.”
President of the Association of Manufacturing and Trading Enterprises of the Fish Market
“We work with migrants from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and other countries. For us, Russian language proficiency among migrants is crucial; otherwise, we simply wouldn`t be able to communicate with them. Knowledge of Russian is necessary, but for what purpose? So that a person can understand instructions and explain themselves freely; specific grammar should not be required. For a long time, the actual level of Russian language proficiency was not given much attention, but now, from my unprofessional perspective, the requirements for the Russian language are slightly overstated. What are the practical implications of taking the exam? Previously, everyone passed on the first attempt, but now a significant percentage are screened out. Why can`t they pass on the first attempt? In all our former Soviet republics with whom we work, the study of the Russian language is gradually deteriorating. Those who are older know the language much better than the younger generation. In my opinion, the entire system with migrants is somewhat flawed. A migrant comes here to work, so the main document should be a contract, and the second main document should be a tax payment certificate. All other responsibility for migrants should be borne by the employer. If we bring migrants from the post-Soviet space, they will understand Russian to some extent. But for others, Russian language knowledge will be zero. They are now trying to bring people from places like Pakistan or North Korea, where there is no knowledge of the language.”
It was previously reported that a Sakhalin company brought in Vietnamese builders, covering their accommodation and preparation for the Russian language exam. However, only one in ten passed the exam, and the company, “Yuvesta Company,” subsequently had to cover the costs of the Vietnamese workers` return home.
Rupert Blackwood 
Clement Ashworth