The Russian president Dmitry Medvedev has suggested that unemployment will be the country's main problem in 2010.

During a meeting with the minister of health and social development Tatiana Golikova, Mr Medvedev disclosed that there are now 2.2 million unemployed individuals in the European country's economy.

The president explained that 33.3 billion rubles has already been budgeted for programs to tackle joblessness and that regional governments are being advised to create public sector jobs and stimulate private business.

He said: "Even though the economic crisis is abating and there is an overall economic upsurge, it so happens in a crisis that unemployment may grow even with the economic upsurge."

Meanwhile, Mr Medvedev also relaxed restrictions on migrant workers entering Russia this week.

The Kremlin announced the development of new legislation that is intended to optimize the immigration of foreigners to Russian organizations conducting "investment, scientific and high-technology projects", RIA Novosti reported.