Hundreds of companies were included in the register of unscrupulous employers

At the end of July 2025, 240 companies were included in the register of unscrupulous employers, which Rostrud launched this year, Izvestia estimated. This includes organizations or sole proprietors that charge salaries below the minimum wage or register employees under civil law contracts instead of employment contracts in order to save on fees.

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They are most actively looking for sellers, couriers, cooks and counselors.

Such violations are most often found in transport, cleaning, IT, as well as in the field of consumer services, said Natalia Streshkina, an expert on business law and a member of the Russian Bar Association.

Inclusion in the register is fraught with difficulties with hiring, inspections by supervisory authorities, limited access to government support and reduced customer confidence, the lawyer listed. There may also be problems with banks when opening an account or receiving a loan.

By agreeing to illegal employment, an employee is deprived of key rights and guarantees, Rostrud reminded Izvestia. This is the absence of paid leave, sick leave, maternity leave, accident benefits, as well as the inability to receive tax deductions and severance pay when reduced. Without official registration, insurance experience is also not accumulated to receive a pension.

As Natalia Streshkina added, such employees also have a higher risk of being left without a salary, being refused a loan and easily losing their job — it is difficult to protect their rights without an employment contract.

Read more in the exclusive Izvestia article:

Clean works: hundreds of companies were included in the register of unscrupulous employers