Transformation of processes of external labor migration during the spread of the COVID-19 infection

The article deals with the impact of external labor migration on the balance of the labor market in the Russian Federation. The main emphasis is placed on the need to monitor the migration situation and taking timely "migration" measures by the Government of the Russian Federation based on its results. The migration component is presented in strategic planning documents and correlated with the socio-economic development of the Russian Federation. At this moment, against the background of the current unfavorable epidemiological situation caused by the spread of a new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), the Government of the Russian Federation is taking a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, including those in the field of migration. The article analyzes the current measures preventing departure of labor migrants staying in the Russian Federation and other categories of foreign citizens who have arrived for the purposes other than work in the "shadow sector" of the labor market. It shows the present state of external labor migration by analyzing statistical and informational data, as well as possible risks in the implementation of social and labor relations. Sectors of the economy have been identified that may experience a shortage of labor resources as a result of the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infection. Dependence of the sphere of external labor migration on macroeconomic, international and political factors is stated. Particular attention in the article is paid to the institute of highly qualified specialists (HQS). The need was expressed to improve the procedure for attracting foreign citizens to work on the territory of the Russian Federation as HQS, to set additional criteria for their selection, to introduce an advance payment of income tax on HQS and to increase employers' liability for violation of the established procedure in this area, including the need to diversify control mechanisms for employers who attract foreign citizens as highly qualified specialists.