Russia's parliament approved amendments on Wednesday that increase fines for employers that hire foreigners without proper immigration and work permits.
The amendments, passed by lawmakers in the second, most important reading, come after President Vladimir Putin on October 5 ordered ministers to protect Russia's "native population" by clamping down in illegal immigration laws.
Under the amendments, companies that break rules relating to foreign workers will face fines of as much as 800,000 roubles ($29,670) per worker from the current maximum fine of 300,000 roubles. Current fines do not depend on the number of workers.
Lawmakers in the lower house of parliament, dominated by the pro-Putin United Russia party, passed the amendments 393-5 with no abstentions. The changes still have to pass their third reading after which Putin can 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, often illegally, in Russia's construction, retail and food sectors. Employers whisper that they pay bribes to 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. Russia deported Georgians and probed Georgian employers.