The Russian State Duma is set to debate a package of laws that will significantly tighten the country's labor migration regime. Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin announced that parliament will consider three bills aimed at improving migration policy in the second reading this week.
According to the Duma press service, lawmakers will discuss on Tuesday a bill that transfers some powers over labor migration regulation from the Ministry of Labor to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
On Wednesday, the agenda includes amendments to the Tax Code regulating fixed advance income tax payments for foreigners working in Russia, as well as changes to the law "On the Legal Status of Foreign Citizens in the Russian Federation".
If the amendments are adopted, labor migrants will be required to guarantee an income not lower than the minimum subsistence level multiplied by a regional coefficient for themselves and their dependent family members living in Russia. Foreigners who fail to meet this condition will not have their work patent or permit extended and must leave the country with their minor children within 15 days.
Duma Chairman Volodin had previously stated that relevant agencies needed to speed up preparations for these bills. He emphasized that these regulations, responding to public demands, would deter migrants who come to Russia with their families and reduce the burden on social sectors, primarily healthcare and education.