Belarusian Railway turns to Nepal and Pakistan to solve labor crisis

Belarusian Railway, known as BelRail, is now hiring workers from Nepal and Pakistan to fill labour shortages. The state-run company had previously dismissed the idea of foreign recruitment due to high costs and risks. But with ongoing staffing problems, it has changed its approach.

The new hires will take on roles in track maintenance, station work, and cleaning rolling stock. Unlike past policies, these positions will not require Russian language skills. The decision comes as BelRail struggles with a shortage of workers. The Belarusian Railway Workers’ Community links the crisis to a wave of resignations and dismissals after the 2020 political unrest. Many experienced specialists left, leaving gaps in the workforce.

Initially, BelRail proposed monthly wages of 950–980 rubles for the foreign workers. However, the recruitment agency insisted on at least 1,500 rubles, including guaranteed overtime. After negotiations, the total cost per worker—covering wages, travel, and other expenses—was set at 2,900–3,200 rubles.

Internal documents highlight the perceived benefits of hiring from Nepal and Pakistan. The workers are described as disciplined, unlikely to cause conflicts, and dependent on their employer. These factors appear to have outweighed earlier concerns about the practicality of foreign recruitment. The move marks a shift in BelRail’s hiring strategy. Foreign labourers will now fill essential roles without needing to speak Russian. The company expects this approach to address its long-standing staffing issues while keeping costs under control.