The head of Russia's Federal Migration Service suggested on Friday that migrant workers can help the country overcome its demographic problems.
The Russian government has moved to improve the demographic situation, launching a number of federal social programs, including the introduction of additional state support to families in the form of a so-called basic maternity (or family) capital of 250,000 rubles ($8,100) following the birth of a second and consecutive children.
"The demographic situation [in Russia] is not very good," Konstantin Romodanovsky said in Moscow, adding "if you propose another variant, we will certainly use it."
In 2006, then-Russian President Vladimir Putin described the demographic crisis as the most serious problem facing Russia and proposed radical measures to deal with it.
As a result of the steps taken, the number of children born in Russia in 2009 increased by more than 19% since 2006, the natural population decline rate lowered by 2.8%, and the average lifespan has increased from 66.6 years to 69 years, according to the Russian government.
Russia has been fighting against the increasing level of illegal immigration, with millions of residents of former Soviet republics annually coming to the country's major cities in a bid to find jobs.
According to expert estimates, there are between 4 and 5 million illegal immigrants working in Russia, with most of them taking low-paid jobs such as street cleaning or construction.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in July that Russia needed to create a "civilized labor market and to ensure the rights of all who legally work in Russia as well as simultaneously battle against illegal immigration."
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said earlier this year that Russia was open to migrants who come to the country legally, learn and respect its history and traditions and abide by its laws.
MOSCOW, September 10 (RIA Novosti)
