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Facing a severe workforce shortage exacerbated by the Ukraine war and demographic challenges, Russia is increasingly turning to South Asian countries, including Sri Lanka and India, to meet its growing labour demands.
Russia is actively seeking workers from South Asia, with Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh emerging as key sources to plug a widening labour deficit. Bloomberg reports indicate that Moscow requires an estimated 11 million additional workers by the end of the decade, marking its most significant workforce crisis in decades.
This strategic pivot moves Russia away from its traditional reliance on Central Asian labour and opens new opportunities for countries like Sri Lanka, which is targeting 350,000 foreign employment placements in 2026. By diversifying beyond the Middle East, Colombo aims to expand income avenues and strengthen its economy.
Data from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs shows that work permit issuance to foreign nationals reached a multi-year high in 2025, surpassing 240,000. India, in particular, saw permits rise from around 5,000 in 2021 to over 56,000 in 2025. Sri Lanka is emerging as a preferred source for both skilled and semi-skilled workers.
Recruitment agencies, including Moscow-based ‘Intrud,’ are expanding operations to the island, filling vacancies in construction, logistics, and municipal services such as snow clearing. Russian employers favour South Asian workers bound by specific contracts and visas, offering more stability compared with the visa-free mobility of Central Asian workers.
The potential expansion of Sri Lankan labour into Russia aligns with Colombo’s broader economic strategy. In 2025, over 311,000 Sri Lankans went abroad for work, sending home an estimated US$ 7.8 billion in remittances—an essential factor in stabilising the exchange rate and financing critical imports.
However, experts caution that this new corridor comes with challenges. Workers may face lower wages compared to Russian nationals, manual labour in harsh conditions, and risks associated with working in a conflict-adjacent economy. As Sri Lanka aims to achieve its 350,000 foreign employment target this year, ensuring worker safety and welfare will remain a key priority alongside economic gains.
