MOSCOW -- An estimated 200,000 Moldovan nationals may not be able to travel to Russia for seasonal labor under new regulations, a spokeswoman for Russia's Federal Migration Service (FMS) says.
FMS press secretary Zalina Kornilova told Russian media on October 1 that Moldovan citizens who fail to register with local police or FMS branches may be barred from returning once they leave Russia.
However, Moldovan authorities told RFE/RL that the FMS informed them that the actual number affected by the interdiction may only be around 19,000 people.
The total amount sent home by the 700,000 Moldovans working abroad is expected to reach an estimated $2 billion this year -- with 60 percent of the money coming from seasonal workers hired in Russia.
The European Union is expected to offer Moldova an Association Agreement at an Eastern Partnership summit in November.
FMS press secretary Zalina Kornilova told Russian media on October 1 that Moldovan citizens who fail to register with local police or FMS branches may be barred from returning once they leave Russia.
However, Moldovan authorities told RFE/RL that the FMS informed them that the actual number affected by the interdiction may only be around 19,000 people.
The total amount sent home by the 700,000 Moldovans working abroad is expected to reach an estimated $2 billion this year -- with 60 percent of the money coming from seasonal workers hired in Russia.
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The European Union is expected to offer Moldova an Association Agreement at an Eastern Partnership summit in November.
