India-Russia ‘win-win’ labour deal sparks concerns over migrant workers’ rights and safety

India is pursuing labour mobility deals and a new bill to safeguard workers abroad, yet challenges persist, including skills mismatches and the need for constant agreement updates.

Undeterred by reports of scores of Indians in Russia being forcibly drafted into the Ukraine war – some of whom have died – Mr Rakesh Shah still wants to travel to Russia to work in construction, underlining the risks Indian workers are willing to take for employment.