Away From The State: Otkhodniks And Power In Modern Russia

Internal return migrant workers (modern seasonal workers or otkhodniks) are relatively new, but already a mass phenomenon in Russia. We estimate the number of otkhodniks in Russia now in 15-20 million of working-age population. This category of migrant workers exists outside the public administration system, primarily occupying the sector of gray economy. The bodies of state and municipal authorities have not yet formed any definite relationship with migrant workers; no management solutions have been established. There are no management decisions on the regulation of otkhodnichestvo working. There is no regulatory framework. The article, based on field studies in 40 Russian regions and empirical data for 77 municipalities, considers the problem of interaction between the government and migrant workers in three aspects: (1) the ratio of otkhodniks to power, (2) forms and types of interactions between otkhodniks and the authorities, (3) the political significance of modern otkhodniks. The otkhodniks are eliminated completely from the government. They refuse to interact with the government and local self-government. There is no cooperation between the authorities and this category of migrant workers. The authorities underestimate the economic and political importance of modern otkhodniks. All this creates significant social and political threats and risks for the public administration system.