RUSSIA SETS MIGRANT QUOTA
By Henry Meyer
Associated Press
The Washington Times
Published January 16, 2007
MOSCOW — Russia is cracking down on millions of illegal workers
under tough migration rules that came into effect yesterday, as the
tide of anti-immigrant sentiment rises.
But with Russia’s population plummeting, there is concern about
serious shortages of low-wage laborers.
"They don’t like the color of our skin here," said a 26-year-old
Azerbaijani produce seller at a Moscow food market who gave his name
as Alek. He predicted that he and many of his fellow migrants would
have to leave Russia.
Under the new rules, which set a quota of 6 million foreign workers
for 2007, authorities are carrying out strict checks of the estimated
10 million to 12 million foreigners who are working in Russia, most
of them illegally.
The legislation eases procedures for citizens of most former Soviet
republics who enter Russia to obtain work permits, but it also
increases fines for businesses that employ illegal migrants.
Further limiting foreigners’ right to work in Russia, a government
decree that took effect Jan. 1 restricted the number of non-Russians
in the retail trade.
The issue of immigration has become a lightning rod for President
Vladimir Putin’s government as popular resentment of migrants
increases, particularly against darker-skinned workers from former
Soviet republics in the Caucasus and Central Asia.
Racist attacks and hate crimes are on the rise, and the Movement
Against Illegal Immigration — a far-right grass-roots political
organization — has exploded in popularity in recent months.
Critics warn that the crackdown will only encourage xenophobic
sentiment, fuel inflation and accelerate Russia’s population decline.
The population is dropping by about 700,000 a year and has fallen below
143 million, a demographic crisis blamed on the economic turmoil after
the Soviet collapse. The decline would be even more catastrophic were
it not for immigration.
Migrants from former Soviet republics, mostly from Azerbaijan, Georgia,
Armenia, Moldova or poor nations in Central Asia, including Tajikistan,
are the main source of cheap labor in Russia. They perform menial jobs
for low pay that Russians refuse to do, forming the backbone of the
work force in the construction industry and food and clothing markets.
John Litwack, chief economist at the World Bank’s office in Russia,
said that Russia needed to attract 1 million new migrants a year,
but the new rules likely could make it more difficult for foreigners
to work here.
"Russia relies tremendously on immigrant labor because it is facing
a very difficult demographic crisis, which in the medium term will
become more serious," he said. "It is in Russia’s interests to
maintain favorable conditions for migrants, particularly from the
former Soviet Union."
Under the new regulations, businesses that employ people without
proper documents face fines of up to $30,100 and a three-month
trading suspension.