Many Russians got used to seeing aliens working in the public utilities and technical services sectors but they would not like them to work in other sectors of economy.
MOSCOW, March 30, 2016. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the data of the survey describing the Russian attitudes towards migrants of different nationalities working in Russia.
Russians got accustomed to the immigrant employed in communal and services sectors. In March 2016, the proportions of Russians who have positive attitudes towards non-resident workers employed in public utilities and those who work in services sector reached 53% and 50% , respectively, whereas in 2006 they made up only 39% and 42% (respectively); those who are most loyal are young persons and residents of middle cities. Forty-two percent of Russians approve of the use of “migrant labor” in construction and repair; they are opposed by 50% of respondents.
Engaging migrants in other economic sectors is not favored by Russians. The least approved ideas are allowing them working in local government bodies (75% oppose this idea; the proportion is lower than in July 2013, 86%) and law enforcement agencies (72% vs. 84%, respectively).
Over the recent years, Russians have become more tolerant towards migrants working in such sectors as education (since July 2013, the proportion has increased from 13% to 21%; today 68% oppose the idea) and health services (increase from 17% to 23%, vs. 66%). Only one-fifth of Russians favor hiring a non-resident governess, nanny or a house keeper on a regular basis; they are opposed by 63%.
Only 29% of respondents would agree to engage migrants in public transportation (61% oppose them), 35% - food and consumer goods markets (54% of respondents opt for resident salesmen).
The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on March 12-13, 2016. A total of 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions and republics of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.
What are your attitudes towards aliens employed in the following sectors of economy? (closed-ended question, one answer, %) | ||||
| September 2006 | July 2013 | November 2013 | March 2016 |
Public utilities sector (street cleaners, plumbers, etc.) | ||||
Rather positive | 39 | 50 | 55 | 53 |
Rather negative | 49 | 42 | 38 | 39 |
Don’t know | 12 | 8 | 7 | 8 |
Service sector (dry cleaner, shoe repair, etc.) | ||||
Rather positive | 42 | 47 | 55 | 50 |
Rather negative | 48 | 44 | 37 | 38 |
Don’t know | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
Construction and repair | ||||
Rather positive | 44 | 46 | 52 | 42 |
Rather negative | 47 | 49 | 41 | 50 |
Don’t know | 9 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
Food and consumer goods markets | ||||
Rather positive | 40 | 40 | 47 | 35 |
Rather negative | 54 | 53 | 46 | 54 |
Don’t know | 6 | 7 | 7 | 11 |
Public transport | ||||
Rather positive | 36 | 25 | 35 | 29 |
Rather negative | 53 | 68 | 58 | 61 |
Don’t know | 11 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
Health services (doctors, medical attendants, nurses) | ||||
Rather positive | 29 | 17 | 23 | 23 |
Rather negative | 61 | 76 | 71 | 66 |
Don’t know | 10 | 7 | 6 | 11 |
Education (kindergartners, teachers) | ||||
Rather positive | 26 | 13 | 19 | 21 |
Rather negative | 63 | 81 | 74 | 68 |
Don’t know | 11 | 6 | 7 | 11 |
Domestic household staff, (nannies, governesses, housekeepers)* | ||||
Rather positive | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
Rather negative | 0 | 0 | 0 | 63 |
Don’t know | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Law enforcement bodies | ||||
Rather positive | 23 | 10 | 15 | 16 |
Rather negative | 68 | 84 | 79 | 72 |
Don’t know | 9 | 6 | 6 | 12 |
Local authorities, local self-government | ||||
Rather positive | 21 | 9 | 14 | 14 |
Rather negative | 71 | 86 | 80 | 75 |
Don’t know | 8 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
*In 2006-2013, this sector was not included in the survey.
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.