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Moscow: Data protection in Russia is considered holey
Photo: Sergei Bobylev / imago images / ITAR-TASS
The government in Russia has tightened the conditions for Germans and other foreigners who want to work in the country.
In future, they will be obliged to undergo regular medical examinations.
The regulation comes into force this Wednesday.
In response to a request from correspondents, the Russian Foreign Ministry in Moscow announced that it wanted to look after "favorable conditions" for media representatives and their families. The law therefore prescribes extensive medical checks every three months from next spring. In addition to
taking
a
blood sample, this
also includes
x-ray examinations
or
CT scans
.
The new regulation causes outrage. The German-Russian Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) has warned of the consequences for the Russian economy if the new regulation is actually implemented consistently. If business representatives are affected, there is a risk that "foreign managers who are important to Russia will turn away from Russia on a large scale." In a letter in December, the chamber asked the Russian government to weaken the law.
According to the law, foreigners have to be screened for
tuberculosis
,
drug use
,
syphilis
and
HIV
.
According to the AHK, the results of the investigation must be transmitted to the Russian migration authority.
Fingerprints
are therefore also
mandatory
.
Those who refuse risk having their work permit withdrawn.
Critics fear discrimination
The Kremlin-critical newspaper "Novaya Gazeta" asked in a report on the reform: "Is this about the health of society or is it discrimination?" The Russian authorities argue that the new procedure will improve the health situation in the largest country in terms of area Earth.
Foreigners from the EU, for example, fear not only possible treatment errors in view of the less well-equipped health system compared to the West, but also unnecessary radiation exposure from the planned X-ray examinations.
At first it was unclear what happens when someone is sick - whether those affected then have to leave the country.
It is also unclear how the compulsory examinations will be safely organized in view of the high level of pollution caused by the corona pandemic.
In addition, data protection in Russia is considered to be full of holes.
Time and again, large amounts of personal data are released into the open.
asc / dpa