Ghana signs deal to recruit workers for Russian industrial zone

Ghana’s Minister of Labour, Employment and Job Creation, Emmanuel Agyekum, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the director of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone, E.R. Safuillin, to facilitate the recruitment of Ghanaian workers for industrial and manufacturing roles in Russia.

Alabuga, a major industrial and manufacturing hub located in the Yelabuzhsky District of the Republic of Tatarstan, requires more than 75,000 workers to serve across over 48 companies operating within the zone. The agreement aims to create structured pathways for Ghanaian labour to fill these positions.

Minister Agyekum described the partnership as forming part of President John Dramani Mahama’s broader vision for job creation, skills development, and expanding decent employment opportunities for Ghanaians both at home and abroad. The initiative aligns with the government’s focus on reducing unemployment through international labour mobility while promoting orderly, transparent recruitment that prioritises worker welfare and rights.

The Alabuga Special Economic Zone is one of Russia’s largest and most developed industrial-production zones. It hosts a wide range of manufacturing and industrial enterprises and has actively sought foreign labour to support its operations.

Under the MoU, the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Job Creation is expected to play a coordinating role in recruitment processes in Ghana, including verification of job offers, skills matching, and pre-departure orientation to help protect the interests of Ghanaian workers.

The MoU marks a notable step in Ghana-Russia economic engagement centred on human capital. Officials on both sides are expected to work out operational frameworks in the coming days to translate the agreement into concrete job placements.