The Embassy of Sri Lanka in the Russian Federation facilitated a fact-finding mission by Chairmen of both the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) and the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Agency (SLFEA) to the Russian Federation. The visit, which took place from 10 to 22 July 2025 aimed to explore new avenues for overseas employment opportunities for Sri Lankan workers and strengthen cooperation with Russian stakeholders.

During the mission, the delegation visited seven regions covering the Republic of Tatarstan, Yekaterinburg, Vladimir Region, Ivanovo Region, Nizhniy Novgorod, Saint-Petersburg and Moscow. They also visited workplaces where Sri Lankan nationals are currently employed, gaining valuable insights into working conditions, employer requirements, and potential skill gaps. The team also held constructive discussions with Russian government agencies such as the Federal Service for Labor and Employment of the Russian Federation and regional Committees on Labor, Employment Promotion and Labor migration as well as business support organizations involved in recruitment and workforce development.
The meetings provided a platform to address mutual labor market needs and explore opportunities for expanding skilled and semi-skilled employment channels for Sri Lankans in Russia. Both sides expressed commitment to strengthening collaboration, ensuring ethical recruitment practices, and enhancing welfare support for Sri Lankan workers in the Russian Federation.
It is observed that in the Russian Federation there is a workforce shortage of about 3,5 mn work force for the year 2025 in both skilled and semi-skilled sectors and the lucrative sectors for employment is construction, apparel manufacturing, agriculture and industrial manufacturing.