23.08.05

According to the Russian Labor Code every employer (except individuals) must complete the Work Book for each employee in any case that he/she works there for more than 5 days and the nature of his position is permanent (article 66 of the Labor Code). This article applies  not only to Russian citizens, but to foreigners as well.

According to a letter from RosTrud (Russian Employment Agency), the employer has no right to record in the Work Book of a foreigner if he/she already has it completed in the national language of the country of his/her permanent country of residence. Article 66 of the Labor Code stresses that the work record books should be of a “certain format.” Currently only the Work Books of “Soviet” or “Russian” format adhere to this “format.” Furthermore, there are no international agreements that address the use of foreign Work Books.

According to the chairmen of Rostrud, there is only one option – the foreign employee should obtain his/her own Work Book that complies with the required format as of January 1, 2005.