Migrants in Primorye: Opinions, Judgment, Evaluation

• Main Authors: Vinokourova Anna Victorovna, Ardalianova Anna Yurievna
• Format: Article
• Language: Russian
• Published: Federal Center of Theoretical and Applied Sociology of the Russian Academy of Sciences 2016-03-01
• Series: Вестник Института социологии
• Subjects: migration; migration strategies; social transformation; regional development; relationship towards migrants; migration threat
• Online Access: http:///files/File/Vestnik_2016_16/Vinokurova,Ardalyanova.pdf

This article examines the key tendencies characterizing the direction in which migration processes are developing in the Primorsky Krai. The Primorsky Krai is a unique region of the Russian Federation, both in terms of its geographic location and cultural/everyday aspects of its populace’s life. Certain negative demographic tendencies are evident here as well, which mainly lie in positive migration balance. Given such context this article analyzes objective and subjective factors that determine migration dynamics in light of regional development and under conditions of social transformation. Also presented are basic results of an expert survey and non-formal interviews, which expose ordinary natives’ attitude towards migrants, as well as the matter of their integration into the Primorsky Krai; also cited is evaluation (by people who represent several different branches of authority) of the current state of regional migration problems and their development trends. The study shows that, on one hand, both experts and natives realize that attracting migrant workers is a necessity. On the other hand, certain people express their uneasiness concerning the current migrant worker influx from former Soviet republics and countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Informants also seemed to be very alarmed on account of the uncertainty of their own life prospects. The authors conclude that a series of peculiar qualities currently characterizes the Primorsky Krai’s migration situation: first of all, the direction for Chinese migration is changing, and second – an increase in migration from former Soviet republics is taking place. At the same time survey results show that respondents tend to characterize the relationship between locals and migrants as “peaceful”: this is in tune with the usual atmosphere of maritime towns, which are known to be quite tolerant towards newcomers.