Only 18% of quotas on the number of foreign workers from countries whose citizens don’t need a visa to come to Russia (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Byelorussia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldavia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the Ukraine) have been used by Russian employers so far, says Alexander Safonov, Labor Relations and Civil Service Director of the Ministry of Healthcare and Social Development.

‘1,100 people got their work permits, whereas the upper limit amounts to 6 million for 2007. Most likely, 2.5 million permits will have been provided by the end of the year,’ Mr. Safonov announced at the All-Russian Labor Migration Forum on July 13, 2007.