By Country / Russia
Duma Supports Bill To Help Migrants From Ex-Soviet Republics
March 17, 2006
A session of the Russian State Duma (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)
Two bills, passed by the lower house of parliament in the first reading, will offer migrants stronger legal protection and better working conditions. Migrants would no longer have to undergo lengthy procedures for renewing their residence and work permits.
The new rules would apply to all of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Independent States, except Turkmenistan and Georgia.
The bills were strongly opposed by Russian nationalists, who claim that the migrants are taking jobs from Russians.
The bills must still be passed in two more readings.
(Reuters)