ABSTRACT
The chapter analyzes the process of integration of Russian immigrant women into the Nordic (Finnish, Swedish, and Norwegian) labor markets and institutions of welfare. It proceeds from the concept of social justice as a necessary condition to enjoying social and economic rights by all members of a society and then relates it to the current Nordic debates concerning welfare and justice in the era of globalization. While exploring problems and diffi culties encountered by immigrant woman of Russian origin in their everyday lives within local social structures, the chapter draws attention to the so-called “gray zones” and shortcomings of the Nordic systems of integration/justice and equality politics. The argument is developed in line with the criticism formulated by Nancy Fraser which has been taken up by some Nordic gender studies scholars, who call for an institutional transformation of Western/Nordic systems of social welfare so that they embrace both economic redistribution (i.e., providing immigrants with the necessary means for economic survival) and cultural recognition (i.e., allowing immigrant women to get worthy social positions within their new societies).
