Coping strategies of labor migrants from CIS countries

Abstract

The article is aimed at analyzing the behavior of labor migrants from CIS countries who come to Moscow to earn money and face a significant amount of life difficulties. The theoretical basis of the research is the theory of the marginal man by Robert Park and the concept of the stranger by Georg Simmel. The research methodology is based on mixed methods — a combination of in-depth interviews and a standardized online survey. In the process of the authors’ research, the main situations of life difficulties that represent traumatic experiences for labor migrants were identified and studied. The main ones are the lack of official employment opportunities, even if migrants have a higher education and professional skills, as well as negative stereotypes of Moscow citizens towards migrants, which make it difficult for migrants to find a place to live and receive temporary registration at the place of residence. As a result of the analysis, the following main strategies for coping with life’s difficulties were identified: active search for solutions to problems, search for help among compatriots, professional development and self-improvement, integration into the host society by attending cultural events.