Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the formation of a Presidential Council for Interethnic Relations by June 1, 2012. He also ordered the government to develop the strategy for state ethnic policy by December 1, 2012. Education centers were ordered to compose a list of books on history, literature and culture recommended for children.
Putin introduced obligatory exams of Russian language, history, basic legislature for foreign workers, except high-skilled specialists.
The Migration XIX Century Fund is developing a migration amnesty to pardon illegal foreign workers. Experts say that the fine of 800,000 rubles for hiring illegal foreign workers is excessive and the law does work.
Yevgeny Minchenko, head of the International Institute for Political Expertise, said that such initiatives would only stimulate illegal migration, as it happened in France.
Experts agree that the migration policy needs full-fledged reforming without too much liberal approach. The labour market needs liberalization, some norms and approaches need easing in some aspects and a harsher attitude in other.
Minchenko proposed simplification of the right for Russian citizenship for Russians. The expert emphasized that it is not just a demographic problem, but a material as well, to form a culturally-unique state.
