Information on whether government employers contact previous employers or the police for a reference or background check before hiring someone [RUS17714.E]

According to a researcher on Russian affairs with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Munich, a background or reference check would be routinely requested by a government employer before hiring a new employee (20 July 1994). The main document required from previous employers would be a charakteristika, which is an assessment of the employee's work performance and his or her relations with colleagues and management (ibid.). As well, a police check would be requested in order to determine whether or not an employee has a criminal record (ibid.).

A December 1993 report refers to the "security clearances" that employees of the successor agency to the Security Ministry must undergo (AP 21 Dec. 1993). According to the RFE/RL researcher, such security checks would be conducted on potential employees at a certain level within all ministries, and on employees beginning at lower levels within ministries involved in security matters (20 July 1994).

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References


The Associated Press (AP). 21 December 1993. AM Cycle. Deborah Seward. "Yeltsin Dissolves Security Ministry, Creates New Unit." (NEXIS)

Researcher on Russian affairs, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Munich. 20 July 1994. Telephone interview.