Migrants in Russia complain that their employer took their passports and is not paying their salaries

A group of migrants from India in St. Petersburg claims that their employer is withholding their documents, including their passports. Despite numerous requests, neither their passports nor their wages are being issued to them.  

 According to media reports, these migrants have tried to get an appointment at the Indian consulate in St. Petersburg for two consecutive days.

There are about forty Indian migrants in total. They told journalists that they came to Russia at the invitation of an employer who promised to provide them with jobs and housing.

The Indian migrants paid intermediaries about two to three thousand dollars to get to St. Petersburg. However, they ended up with jobs that were not what they expected and believe they were deceived.

However, the Indian migrants do not want to leave. Due to the significant expenses they incurred, they now wish to stay in Russia and find other work. But the employer is not returning their passports, arguing that the migrants must leave Russia, and their passports will only be returned at the airport.

At the same time, the employer confirmed the fact of withholding the migrants’ passports. According to her, by law, she is obliged to ensure the workers’ departure; otherwise, they will find other jobs. She also confirmed that part of the workers’ wages remains unpaid. However, she denies that this was done intentionally.

According to the company’s director, the salary of about 75,000 rubles per month is paid in two parts. Payments for the first half of the month are made on the 30th, and for the second half — on the 15th.

The director stated that the Indian migrants came at the invitation of this company and are listed in its staff. They are obliged to work only for this company. If they find other jobs, they will commit an offense.

The authorities of St. Petersburg reported that they are aware of the problem; however, according to the new law, migrants will not be able to work for another company. Now the migrants must return to their homeland.

Experts note that due to the tightening of migration legislation by Russian authorities in recent years, labor migrants have become even more dependent on employers, intermediaries also play a more significant role, and legal restrictions have increased, which collectively puts migrants in a vulnerable position.