Russia Holds Expert-Level Talks with Taliban on Recruiting Afghan Migrant Workers

Russia is conducting expert-level talks with the Taliban to recruit migrant workers from Afghanistan amid labor shortages, Russia's Special Representative for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov said.

Kabulov stated that no specific agreement has been reached yet, but specialized contacts continue. He noted that Moscow is taking into account Russia's migration laws and economic considerations in the negotiations. The Taliban ambassador in Moscow has previously reported on the matter.

Russian officials have emphasized that there will be no large-scale recruitment of Afghan migrants without sufficient oversight, citing risks from potential "destructive elements."

Sergei Mironov, leader of the Just Russia opposition party, opposes bringing in workers from Afghanistan. He argues that Russia does not need Afghan labor and prefers targeted migration from culturally closer countries such as those in Central Asia. Mironov proposes attracting foreign workers for specific durations and tied to particular employers, and he disagrees with expanding the list of countries supplying low-skilled labor.

India has announced its readiness to increase labor dispatch to Russia.