Russia seeks labour from Zim to boost human capital

Russia is looking to Zimbabwe to bolster its labor force, particularly in the construction sector, as it experiences rapid growth despite Western sanctions. The call for skilled labor emerged from discussions between Zimbabwe's National Housing and Social Amenities Minister, Zhemu Soda, and Russia's Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing, and Utilities, Nikita Stasishin, held on the sidelines of the 12th World Urban Forum, which opened yesterday in Cairo.

The forum, themed "It all starts at home: Local actions for sustainable cities and communities," saw leaders from various nations, including Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and representatives from Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine, gather to discuss sustainable urbanization.

In their meeting, Ministers Soda and Stasishin explored avenues for cooperation, building on a memorandum of understanding signed between Zimbabwe and Russia in July of the previous year. The agreement spans infrastructure development, new building technologies, and affordable housing solutions.

Deputy Minister Stasishin outlined Russia's recent housing achievements, noting that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the country commissioned 110 million square meters of housing. He emphasized Russia's readiness to share housing delivery expertise and standards with Zimbabwe, offering to engage Zimbabwean construction specialists to support Russian projects.

In response, Minister Soda welcomed the invitation, highlighting Zimbabwe's focus on social housing and housing finance. He indicated that Zimbabwe would be ready to receive a Russian delegation to discuss specific areas of cooperation, including the potential for labor partnerships and housing construction collaborations.

Deputy Minister Stasishin also shared insights on Russia's social housing initiatives, expressing willingness to share these models with Zimbabwe, an opportunity Minister Soda appreciated as Zimbabwe seeks to enhance its own housing sector.

The forum's opening session featured a recorded address by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, who underscored the dual impact of urbanization as both a driver of economic development and a contributor to environmental challenges. "Cities generate 70 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, and municipal waste is set to rise by two-thirds within a generation. I invite you to seek innovations and take them back to your communities," Guterres stated.

UN-Habitat Executive Director Anacláudia Rossbach highlighted the urgency of addressing the global housing crisis, which affects almost 3 billion people. "Transforming informal settlements and addressing homelessness is a must," she emphasized, echoing the forum's focus on sustainable urban development.

As Russia looks to strengthen ties with Zimbabwe, the cooperation could mark a significant opportunity for Zimbabwean labor and expertise in international construction, while advancing both nations' housing and infrastructure development goals.