State Duma deputies intend to ban entry to Russia for migrants without voluntary health insurance (VHI) policies. The initiative to tighten entry rules for migrants to Russia was proposed by the “Fair Russia” faction. The leader of the “Fair Russia” faction, Sergey Mironov, suggested that migrants be required to have a voluntary health insurance (VHI) […]
State Duma deputies intend to ban entry to Russia for migrants without voluntary health insurance (VHI) policies.
The initiative to tighten entry rules for migrants to Russia was proposed by the “Fair Russia” faction.
The leader of the “Fair Russia” faction, Sergey Mironov, suggested that migrants be required to have a voluntary health insurance (VHI) policy to cross the Russian border.
Commenting on the decision of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) court regarding the non-mandatory issuance of compulsory health insurance (CHI) policies for the families of labor migrants, Mironov proposed this alternative.
According to Mironov, most labor migrants do not meet the requirements for obtaining CHI, as this requires official employment and three years of contributions from the employer.
He believes that migrants should purchase voluntary health insurance policies, including those covering pregnancy and childbirth.
“There is nothing wrong with it; let them buy voluntary health insurance policies, including for women – for pregnancy and childbirth,” said Mironov.
Mironov also suggested considering a rotational work method (arrive, work, leave) under which the employer would be responsible for the medical care of the migrant, while their family would not be allowed to enter the country.
However, until these measures are implemented, Mironov proposed introducing a requirement for VHI for entry. The deputy emphasized that migrants should purchase policies in advance through Russian insurance companies.
At the end of January this year, Kyrgyzstan filed a lawsuit against Russia in the Eurasian Economic Union court due to the refusal to issue CHI policies to the families of Kyrgyz labor migrants.
As reported by the head of the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund of Kyrgyzstan, Azamat Mukhanov, Russia refused to issue CHI policies to the family members of Kyrgyz citizens.
Mukhanov stated that this violates Articles 96-97 of the EAEU Treaty, which regulate the labor activities of citizens of member states within its framework.
He emphasized that according to the agreement, CHI policies should be issued for both the migrants themselves and for the family members of those working in EAEU member countries, i.e., Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan.
However, the EAEU court supported Russia’s position in the case regarding the right to CHI, emphasizing that family members of workers from EAEU states do not have an automatic right to receive CHI in other member countries.
While Sergey Mironov advocates for the introduction of mandatory voluntary health insurance, it was previously proposed in Russia to require migrants to pay additional taxes for family members living with them in the country.