The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation has proposed establishing a zero-quota policy for foreign workers in passenger taxis and chauffeured car rental services across eight Russian regions starting in 2027. The regulatory initiative is expected to directly affect citizens of Uzbekistan and other non-members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Conversely, nationals of Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan will remain exempt from the forthcoming employment restrictions under existing treaty frameworks.
Key Takeaways: The proposed decree enforces a total ban on foreign taxi drivers from non-EAEU nations across eight Russian territories beginning in 2027. Exceptions are granted solely to holders of permanent or temporary residence permits and officially registered high-skilled specialists. The draft resolution has already received approval from the Russian Trilateral Commission and awaits final sign-off from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.
Under the draft government decree, the prohibition will apply to enterprises operating in the republics of Tatarstan, Mordovia, Udmurtia, and Chuvashia, alongside the Orenburg, Sverdlovsk, Ulyanovsk, and Jewish Autonomous Oblasts. The scope of labor constraints extends beyond passenger sedans: Mordovia and Udmurtia intend to completely eliminate foreign personnel from urban and suburban bus transit as well as commercial road freight, while Kaluga Oblast plans to restrict foreign labor in courier and delivery sectors.
Authorities in regions such as Mordovia have justified the intervention by pointing to disproportionately high traffic accident statistics involving non-resident motorists, rampant undeclared employment, and general safety compliance shortfalls. The Russian labor authorities underscored that zero quotas will be enforced on an employer-by-employer basis, preventing corporate transport fleets and dispatch agencies from legally hiring foreign staff who lack specific legal statuses such as temporary or permanent residence.
In response to narrowing occupational avenues for its diaspora abroad, the Uzbek government has accelerated state-backed welfare and diplomatic safeguards. Tashkent is currently rolling out the specialized 'Online Mahalla' digital platform, designed to connect migrant workers abroad directly with consular officials. The Russian draft regulation now awaits final ratification by the Russian government, signaling a continued tightening of labor immigration controls.
Source: podrobno.uz