Adaptation of labor migrants of the Muslim religion from Central Asia in modern Russian society (on the example of the Republic of Tatarstan)

Abstract

The article analyzes the process of adaptation of labor migrants from Central Asia in the Republic of Tatarstan. Today, migrants occupy a significant place in modern Russian society. In terms of the number of incoming migrants, Russia occupies one of the leading places in the world. In our study, we studied the process of adaptation of the largest ethnic groups from Central Asia (Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Turkmens, Tajiks, Kirghiz). We were interested in how the process of adaptation of labor migrants from Central Asia takes place, what adaptation strategy they choose in certain circumstances, what problems they face, how they solve them and whose help they turn to in solving them. In addition, it was important to study the readiness of the local population to accept labor migrants arriving in our country. During the study, two main methods were used: expert interviews and population surveys. During the expert interview, experts from various fields were interviewed: researchers, public figures, civil servants of the Republic of Tatarstan. According to the results, it was revealed that the adaptation process is very ambiguous and complex: every year, mainly at the expense of young people, the share of labor migrants increases, whose level of Russian language proficiency is very low, this fact negatively affects adaptation. In addition, the choice of adaptation strategy largely depends on the goals of the incoming migrant. An important role in the success (or, conversely, failure) of adaptation is played by the local host population. A survey was conducted among residents of Tatarstan, in which 400 respondents were interviewed using a questionnaire created in a Google Form. The results showed that the majority of respondents are ready to accept labor migrants and do not see any serious reasons for preventing the latter from entering the territory of Tatarstan. However, some respondents have a negative attitude towards them and are in favor of limiting their stay in the Republic of Tatarstan.