THE COUNTRIES OF WESTERN ASIA IN THE PROCESSES OF INTERNATIONAL LABOR MIGRATION: FEATURES OF THE XXI CENTURY

Abstract

The countries of Western Asia simultaneously act as centers of attraction in the processes of international labor migration, and countries, which let their citizens travel abroad to find work (are labor migrants). We analyze the situation in the field of international labor migration in 14 countries of Western Asia, excluding the former republics of the USSR, such as Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, which are now included by international organizations in the group of countries in the region. The situation in the field of labor migration in the region is being updated in connection, firstly, with the growth of the economies of the countries of the Cooperation Council of the Arab States of the Persian Gulf (GCC) and, in general, some stabilization of the socio-economic and political situation in the West Asian region, secondly, with the trends to overcome the restrictions that took place due to the spread of coronavirus infection in the world and in the region, and, thirdly, with the region's attempts to transform the national economy and implement new advanced industries and productions based on innovation and digitalization. It is important to study the experience of the GCC countries in the field of labor migration in order to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs of MMRS in the Russian Federation. The article attempts to analyze the situation in the field of international labor migration in Western Asia, and primarily in the GCC, which actively accept labor from other states of the region and non-regional powers. The author concludes that the region will retain its role as a receiving center for foreign labor in the future on the basis of an adequate policy of the recipient countries. The geography of the countries of origin of immigrants also generally remains unchanged. The research period covers 2000–2022. The author used traditional methods of economic analysis to conduct the research. The sources of statistical information were data from international databases, primarily UNCTAD, as well as regional reports of international organizations.