Migration should be controlled, not feared – Medvedev

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has urged adjustments in migration control. He emphasized that migration should not be feared, it should be controlled. The key goal is to form a civilized and balanced labour market, the PM believes. Medvedev wants more foreign specialists to work in Russia, RIA Novosti reports.

Over 8 million foreigners visited Russia in the first half of 2012. Over 10 million migrants remain in the country, about the size of Moscow population, Medvedev notes.

The Security Council discussed the concept of migration policy until 2025 in April this year. The document has been approved by the president. The prime minister wants harsher punishments for foreign violators of law and stimulation for the law-abiding ones.

Foreign businessmen, teachers, scientists should be welcomed in the country, Medvedev said. Although, he urged functionaries to prevent foreigners from forming enclaves.

Head of the Russian Federal Migration Service Constantine Romodanovsky said that 42% of 10 million foreigners in Russia are students, tourists or patients, 17% are legal workers, 21% are illegal workers.

Russia has 32,000 high-skilled foreign specialists, the official goes on. Over 300,000 foreigners have been punished this year. In addition, over 37,500 foreigners were banned from the country for violations on January 1 – July 1.