ABSTRACT
pressures. Facing the economic downturn, many have simply left. The Russian government can and does also put downward pressure on their numbers by selectively tightening enforcement of rules and restrictions, increasing harassment, deportations and long-term bans on individuals’ return, and increasing costs of patents. The disposability of migrants facilitates labour force adjustment, opening jobs that may now be attractive to some locals, and allowing the government to push out the poorest and concentrate its resources on those who retain social rights.
