Browse through brief employment and labor law updates from around the globe. Contact a Littler attorney for more information or view our global locations.

Download full Q4 2023 Global Guide Quarterly

Bill Seeks to Change System for Hiring Foreign Workers

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Authors: Mateusz Krajewski, Associate, and Marcin Snarski, Senior Associate – PCS | Littler

A new bill has been submitted to the State Duma, to require work permit from all foreign workers. Currently, some foreign workers can be hired through a simplified system and are not required to hold a regular work permit.

From a tax perspective, the bill proposes to subject all foreign employees to pay a regular income tax at the rate of 13%. This would increase the tax burden for foreigners working in Russia.

Working Week Modifications

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Authors: Mateusz Krajewski, Associate, and Marcin Snarski, Senior Associate – PCS | Littler

According to a new bill, Friday may become a reduced working day on a permanent basis. The bill proposes to reduce by one hour the length of the working day on Fridays immediately preceding a weekend. Thus, the normal working hours will be reduced to 39 hours per week instead of the current 40 hours.

Currently, reduced working hours only apply to the work day immediately preceding a public holiday.

New Limitations on the Number of Foreign Employees

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Authors: Mateusz Krajewski, Associate, and Marcin Snarski, Senior Associate – PCS | Littler

A new bill submitted to the State Duma would limit the permissible number of foreign employees to 5% of the total number of employees for each type of economic activity provided for by the All-Russian Classifier of Types of Economic Activities. The bill would also establish a prohibition on the employment of foreign employees in certain areas (e.g., medication sales in retail pharmacies, retail trade in non-stationary trade facilities and markets, construction, etc.).

Changes to the Deadlines for Challenging Wrongful Dismissal

Proposed Bill or Initiative

Authors: Mateusz Krajewski, Associate, and Marcin Snarski, Senior Associate – PCS | Littler

The State Duma will examine a bill extending the deadline for filing claims for wrongful dismissal from one to two months. The deadline is calculated from the date of receipt of a copy of the dismissal order or the employment record book.