Russian Parliament Supports Tighter Migration Controls

Chinese migrant workers on a construction site in the Siberian city of Chita (ITAR-TASS) December 6, 2006 -- The lower house of the Russian parliament has given preliminary approval to a bill tightening control over migration.

The bill, which the Duma approved today in the first of three required readings, formalizes the government's decision to introduce quotas on foreign migrants.

The measure comes in the wake of a government crackdown on migrants from Georgia and other former Soviet republics.

(compiled from agency reports)