PRESS DIGEST - Russia - Dec 1

MOSCOW, Dec 1 (Reuters) - The following are some of the leading stories in Russia's newspapers on Monday. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy.

KOMMERSANT

www.kommersant.ru

- Prime Minister Vladimir Putin is launching consultative meetings with cabinet members to work out budget policy for 2009.

- One of the first protests caused by the crisis has been launched by guest workers in the town of Yekaterinburg, the daily reports. About 250 migrants from Tajikistan have refused to work because of wage arrears.

VEDOMOSTI

www.vedomosti.ru

- The government is considering the idea of helping people pay their mortgages if they loose their jobs.

- Russia's central bank is undertaking measures to prevent capital outflow, the daily says referring to a rise of refinancing rates.

- Russian metal producers are queuing up for state loans, the daily says, adding that steel producer Mechel MTL.MM and TMK have asked for about $3 billion in loans from the state owned bank VEB.

- TNK-BP, half owned by oil major BP (BP.L), has become the first oil producer to cut its staff, the daily says reporting on sacking of 390 managers in the head office in Moscow.

ROSSIISKAYA GAZETA

www.rg.ru