MOSCOW, March 6 (Itar-Tass) — Russia’s megapolises may attract labour resources from the Philippines, Vice President of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Georgy Petrov said at a meeting of the two countries’ business council on Tuesday.
“We need to constantly attract high skilled workforce, including that from the Philippines, for dynamic development of Russia’s economy, its modernization and transition to an innovative track,” he said.
“I do not think that within the upcoming years there will be a very high influx,” he said. “Megapolises such as Moscow, St. Petersburg and large industrial centers will be the first to attract labour resources from the Pacific country.”
“We know from other countries’ experience that the workforce attracted from the Philippines not so much creates competition for the national economy, but goes to those sectors, which feel the highest demand for qualified staff,” Petrov said.
“Today the Philippines is Russia’s growing economic partner. Taking into account the recent dynamics of our economic relations this is a very good signal,” he said. “Our bilateral trade is close to 2 billion dollars. Last year’s turnover exceeded 1.6 billion rubles. Looking at the point, where we started, we can say with confidence that we have very good prospects for boosting trade.”
“We would like those specialists, who will come to Russia from the Philippines, to be protected from the very beginning and to enjoy similar rights as Russian workers and civil servants. If cooperation develops at this level, we will have good prospects,” Petrov said.