Russia's toughened migration policy will boost unemployment and poverty in Armenia, Gagik Makaryan, Head of the Republican Union of Employers, told reporters, Wednesday.
He said that in Russia there are nearly 170,000 migrant workers from Armenia, who transfer nearly $180 million to their families in Armenia every year. Labor migrants from Armenia are reluctant to return now.
"If at least 70,000 migrants return from Russia, this will boost unemployment, poverty and social tension in the country. The citizens of Armenia enjoy no preferences," Makaryan said. He said that private transfers from Russia to Armenia make up nearly 85% of total private money transfers. Reduction of this indicator will generally affect the economy of Armenia.
Following the amendments into the migration legislation of the Russian Federation which came into effect on 1 Jan 2014, the citizens of Armenia are permitted to stay in Russia for 90 days out of 180.