Authorities in the Vologda oblast of the Russian Federation have decided to lift the ban on employing migrant workers in construction.  A corresponding draft decree by Vologda Governor Georgy Filimonov has been published on the region’s legal information portal, Meduza reports.

On February 27, Filimonov signed a decree expanding the list of industries where foreign workers are prohibited from being employed. The new list included construction, demolition, and various other construction-related jobs.

According to RBC, this decision faced opposition from Severstal, a mining and metallurgical company owned by Alexey Mordashov. The company warned that the ban could hinder its investment program in the region, including the construction of an iron ore pellet production complex.

The ban on migrant labor in construction was introduced shortly after reports emerged that Severstal reportedly planned to bring 6,000 migrant workers to Cherepovets for its investment projects.  As RBC notes, this sparked outrage among local residents.

Following the backlash, Filimonov announced plans to tighten control over construction sites and other areas where migrant workers congregate.

The new decree lifting the ban states that the region is experiencing a growing number of job vacancies in the construction sector.  However, the number of unemployed Russian citizens registered with employment services is insufficient to meet labor demand.

As a result, filling these vacancies with Russian workers is deemed impossible.