MOSCOW, April 1 (RIA Novosti) - A law barring foreign traders from Russian retail marketplaces comes into effect April 1.
Designed to bring order to the sector and curb a wave of ethnically motivated crimes in the country, the move is a follow-up to January 15, when the number of foreigners allowed to work in outdoor clothes and food markets was reduced to 40% of the total workforce.
The Federal Migration Service said mass inspections will begin throughout Russia April 2.
According to the VTsIOM pollster, 27% of respondents have noticed a price hike at food and clothes markets, and 21% have complained of a shortage of various goods.
However, authorities said the price rise was due to a seasonal trend, and have denied any shortages.
