Media: Firms in Russia face $20 million in penalties for migrant labour violations

Courts in Russia imposed more than 1.6 billion rubles ($20 million) in fines on companies in the first half of the year for illegally employing migrants, according to data from the Judicial Department under the Supreme Court.

The penalties also covered violations of employment regulations at commercial facilities and disregard for restrictions on certain types of work, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

The total amount of fines is 1.6 times higher than in the same period last year. Between January and June, 9,546 individuals were penalised under three articles of the Administrative Code (Articles 18.15, 18.16, and 18.17) — a 1.3-fold increase compared to 2024.

Among them were 5,638 legal entities, marking a 1.5-fold rise year-on-year.

Fines for companies can reach up to 1 million rubles ($12,000), and operations may be suspended for 14 to 90 days.

Experts note that businesses have begun recognising the risks associated with such violations, and a decline in these figures is expected in the future.

By Jeyhun Aghazada