KUALA LUMPUR - Despite reports of Indians being forcibly recruited to fight in Ukraine, Rakesh Shah is determined to work in Russia to support his family.

Shah, 37, feels slightly reassured by a mobility agreement signed in December 2025, which is not yet operational but is meant to track workers going to Russia.

“For work and supporting my family, I am ready to go to Russia,” said Shah, who hopes to earn more than he could in Dubai.

The India-Russia deal aims to ease worker movement and boost bilateral trade, with the government calling it a new avenue for collaboration.

While beneficial on paper for labour-surplus India and labour-short Russia, practical issues like logistics, bureaucracy, and worker welfare could complicate implementation.

Concerns remain over the protection of blue-collar Indian workers, many of whom are less educated and vulnerable to exploitation abroad.

India pursues such labour deals to leverage its youth population amid uneven domestic job growth, skill mismatches, and stagnant wages.

Millions of Indians work overseas, including over nine million in the Gulf, with opportunities expanding in Russia, Israel, Japan, and Taiwan.

The managing director of Vira International Placements, Alijan Rajan said there is a clear opportunity for workers, but it is important to provide the right people with proper access.

“There is opportunity for workers, and this is the right time to grab the opportunity. We have the skill sets and manpower availability, but we have to create a proper corridor and give opportunity to the right people,” said Alijan.

Remittances are a key revenue stream, totaling USD135 billion in 2024, highlighting the economic importance of overseas workers.

“The Indian government cares about making migration safer, more orderly, and mutually beneficial. 

“These labour agreements help facilitate that by helping set minimum standards on wages, working conditions, rights and repatriation,” said Dr Karthik Nachiappan.

India plans to replace an old migration law with the Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2025, to improve oversight and create a council to manage international labour agreements.

Experts warn implementation may be challenging, noting cases of Indians recruited to fight in Ukraine, with 202 sent since 2022 and 26 deaths.

Families of affected workers say agents promised civilian jobs but sent them to frontlines, highlighting gaps in protection.

Dr Bhavna Dave said India’s missions focus on trade and diplomacy, making it difficult to protect low-skilled workers abroad.

Migrant workers face risks in other countries too, including poor living conditions and skills mismatches, even under formal agreements.

Investigations in Israel found Indian workers employed below their skill levels, stressing the need for stricter checks.

Professor S. Irudaya Rajan said labour agreements and laws are a first step, but require regular updates to ensure worker welfare.

Recruitment agents called for stronger border controls and questioned New Delhi’s ability to guarantee safety.

Desperate for work, Sunil Mohit, 28, a welder from Uttar Pradesh, is ready to travel anywhere overseas after a year of unemployment.

“Why would I leave India and go overseas if I could get a good salary here? I have one rupee in my pocket. How will I take care of my family?” expressed Mohit.