On 30 June 2009 in Moscow, SAD organized a press conference on the theme of migration in the context of crisis. The press conference was organized in collaboration with SAD’s Russian partner RU PASS and was held in on the premises of RIA Novosti agency. This was also an opportunity to present the information film that SAD is preparing in collaboration with RU PASS.

Russia is one of the countries most affected by the economic crisis in the world today. Migrants are among the most vulnerable victims of economic instability that affects the country. Occupying the vast majority of irregular jobs, they are usually the first to lose their positions in companies. Stigmatization of the migrants increases in times of crisis in public opinion. The press conference also aimed to set the record straight about the situation of migrants in Russia today.

Several eminent personalities in the field of migration, e.g. the well-known journalist Lidia Grafova and the presiddent of the "Migration 21st century"-foundation and former vice-director at the Federal Migration Services, took the floor to defend the role of migrants in today’s Russian economy. Their Vyatcheslav Postavnin,contribution in areas such as construction, cleaning or services is essential. Various speakers also stressed the fact that migrants do not compete with Russian workers, as the latter group is not interested in irregular or dangerous jobs that migrants usually occupy. They also emphasized the low crime rate among migrants (3%). The image that migrants commit a large number of crimes in Russia is portrayed in most media. The press conference is available on video. A communiqué was also published.

Finally, the press conference was an opportunity to present the film entitled "How to work in Russia without problems" to journalists and others attending the event. The film was created by SAD and RU PASS. The film introduces the main difficulties migrants may face in Russia (border crossings, acquisition of work permits, dealing with the police, etc.) and helps them to adapt better to life in Russia. The final version of the multilingual film will be ready by late summer.

Project Migration in Russia