Putin proposes crackdown on illegal immigration

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday repeat migration offenders should be banned from entering Russia for up to 10 years as he proposed tough new immigration rules ahead of a March election.

The proposals, which include criminal charges for employing what Putin labeled effective "slave" labor, came just days after he wrote that migrants wishing to work in Russia should pass language, history and law tests. Speaking at the offices of the Federal Migration Service, he said those who employ illegal migrants should face criminal charges as opposed to fines. In a television address Putin said those who employ illegal migrants should face criminal charges as opposed to fines. Of around 9.2 million foreigners residing in Russia, around four million were illegally employed even though they were registered with the authorities, Putin said, adding that more highly-qualified, skilled workers needed to be attracted. According to AFP, Some analysts said Putin's pre-election bid openly flirted with xenophobia and sought to hijack the nationalist slogans of activists who have joined the protest movement against the strongman's 12-year rule. Many in Russia -- where Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion -- chafe at the increased numbers of Muslim migrants and some of their traditions like slaughtering sheep in public. (AFP)