Russia’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has presented a bill to the government regarding the obligatory inclusion of foreign citizens in the country’s social insurance system, reports indrus.in.

The bill relates to foreign workers that do not have permanent residency status in Russia, according to Russian newspaper Investia. Employers of foreign staff will be obligated to pay social insurance tariffs for their staff; such as sick pay or maternity benefits. Workers would then also receive the right to access free medical care.  

According to the bill, the proposed tariff for insurance contributions for foreign citizens will equate to 1.8% of their wages, compared with 2.8% for Russian citizens.

Boris Kravchenko, Head of Russia’s Labour Confederation, commented that the suggestions proposed in the bill are an attempt to closer align the employment conditions of foreign and Russian citizens at the employers’ expenses.

The Russian Federal Migration Service currently estimates that the number of people staying temporarily in the Russian territory and who are employed for at least six months is 1.2 million.

It is expected that the bill will be presented to the State Duma, the lower hours of the Federal Assembly of Russia, during the current spring session.