Matviyenko urged migrants to assimilate and warned against the emergence of enclaves

Statement by the Federation Council Speaker

Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko, at a plenary session of the upper chamber, called on migrants living in Russia to 'assimilate' rather than remain 'an enclave that lives its own separate life.' According to her, in a number of countries the topic of migration policy was 'let go' and it 'went its own way,' while the idea of multiculturalism there 'did not take root' and led to the emergence of isolated communities. This was reported by Gazeta.Ru citing TASS and Life.ru.

What is proposed and whom it is addressed to

Matviyenko stated that legislators should think about creating additional conditions that would allow the Ministry of Internal Affairs to pursue a 'civilized migration policy.' At the same time, as Life.ru notes, she called for ensuring decent conditions for foreigners working legally: employers must be responsible for housing the invited workers, for upholding their labor rights and for paying wages on time. The Speaker also spoke out against abuses by intermediaries organizing illegal migration, emphasizing that foreigners who comply with Russian laws and contribute to the development of the economy deserve respectful treatment. The Federation Council, she added, is ready to help adopt the necessary legislative decisions; the main task, she said, is a transparent and lawful migration system that takes the needs of the economy into account.

Context: tightened rules and MVD recommendations

The statement came against the backdrop of measures already adopted. State Duma Chairperson Vyacheslav Volodin announced that Federal Law No. 294-FZ had come into force, more than doubling the list of Administrative Offenses Code articles providing for the expulsion of foreign citizens and stateless persons from Russia for violations: whereas previously such a measure applied under 22 articles, it now applies under 45. Earlier, Life.ru also reported on MVD recommendations prepared for the regions on preventing the emergence of migrant enclaves and breaking them up: the head of the ministry, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, said the document had been approved by the government and would be sent to governors, and that the problem must be addressed comprehensively, including with regard to the practice of providing housing to foreign workers. Thus, Matviyenko's words represent the position of the speaker of one of the chambers of parliament and a guideline for future decisions, whereas the expanded grounds for expulsion are already in force.