Russia Duma approves high fines for illegal migrants

MOSCOW, Oct 20 (Reuters) The lower house of the Russian parliament unanimously approved today a bill sharply raising fines for employers who hire illegal immigrants.

The State Duma passed the amendments in a third and final reading to labour laws just two weeks after President Vladimir Putin ordered ministers to protect Russia's ''native population'' by clamping down on illegal immigration.

Putin's call, which came amidst a bitter row with ex-Soviet neighbour Georgia, accompanied a crackdown on Georgian businesses in Russia and expulsions of hundreds of Georgians accused of breaking immigration laws.

Under the amendments, companies that hire illegal immigrants will face fines of as much as 800,000 roubles (,670) per worker from the current maximum fine of 300,000 roubles. Current fines do not depend on the number of workers.

The bill now has to be approved by the Federal Council after which Putin has to sign them into law.

Russia has up to 12 million immigrant workers but just 705,000 are working legally, according to official estimates.

Millions of immigrants are employed in construction, retail and food sectors. Employers whisper that they bribe police and migration officials to ignore the illegal workers.

The immigrants come from across the former Soviet Union and often from as far away as China and Vietnam.

Populist cries about immigrants from Russia's Caucasus neighbour Georgia reached a fever pitch this month as Moscow and Tbilisi traded barbs over four Russian officers accused of spying.

This month Russia has deported more than 1,200 foreign nationals, accused of breaking immigration and employment rules.

Workers who break immigration and registration rules could face fines of up to 5,000 roubles -- about a month's pay for many illegal immigrants in Moscow.

REUTERS AB BS2055