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Poll: Half of Russians call for tougher migration laws

A mere 14% of those polled believe that huge number of migrant workers is a positive trend in Russia

MOSCOW, August 7 (Itar-Tass) - Poll returns from a survey among 1,600 Russians across 42 regions indicate that one in two respondents support the toughening of the country’s migration policies. Three-fourths of those interviewed by the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (WCIOM) consider the influx of migrants a negative trend.

Over the past five years the number of opponents of migration flows has increased from 68% to 74%. A mere 14% of those polled believe that huge number of migrant workers is a positive trend in Russia.

According to the pollster, 53% of Russians call for toughening the country’s migration laws. In 2005 their number reached only 40%. Another 10% of the respondents express an opinion that the inflow of migrants should be fully stopped. A mere 6% of those polled urge easier migration rules, while another 5% call for cancelling the migration laws. In 2005, their number totaled 14% and 8% respectively. One in five respondents says there is no need to amend the migration legislation.

More than half of the respondents or 57% consider it necessary to tighten laws for migrants coming to Russia from CIS member-states, countries in the South and Southeast Asia. This opinion is mainly shared by Muscovites and St. Petersburg residents (71%) and residents of other Russian cities with a population of over 1 million (68%).