Russia: HQS Salary Notifications Due January 29, 2021

Last Updated on February 23, 2023

Key Points

  • Employers must submit notifications for HQS workers’ earnings in Q4 2020 by Jan. 29, 2021
  • Employers must use new forms for their reports as required by MIA Order No. 536
  • Employers must verify that their employees’ compensation met minimum salary requirements
    Fines apply for failing to report salaries or violating established notification forms or procedures
  • Penalties also apply for failing to compensate HQS employees at the minimum wage

Overview

By January 29, 2021, employers must submit quarterly notifications on the salaries that they paid to highly qualified specialists (HQS) in the fourth quarter of 2020.

What are the Changes?

Based on the requirements established by MIA Order No. 536, new forms must be used for the notification process. The requirement became effective on January 1, 2021.

What Should Employers and Applicants Know?

The reported salary must meet the minimum salary level for HQS workers, which is:

  • 167,000 RUB per month
  • 501,000 RUB per quarter

Payments in the employee’s salary must be made in accordance with Clause 1, Article 129 of the Russian Labor Code. Payments must be included in the employer’s report for 2020 Q4 earnings.

Employers are subject to fines for failing to provide salary reports or for violating the established notification form or procedure. For officials, the fine ranges from 35,000 RUB to 70,00 RUB. For legal entities, the fine ranges from 400,000 RUB to 1,000,000 RUB. Employers that do not pay the minimum wage to HQS will be banned from hiring new HQS employees for two years.

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Content in this publication is not intended as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. For additional information on the issues discussed, consult an Envoy-affiliated attorney or another qualified professional.