Youth Employment and Internships in Russia

Information about the work opportunities and regulations for teenagers, students and school leavers in Russia...

With numerous foreign companies now active in the Russian market, opportunities can be found for foreign teenagers to get work experience or pursue a career path in the country. Opportunities range from volunteering – animal welfare groups are great places to acquire project management experience and basic veterinary skills; through to creative pursuits – young actors can get to perform on the Russian stage; and internships.

It is worth checking which foreign companies have a presence in Russia in a chosen field and sending in an application with a CV to be considered for work experience.

Online resources for Moscow and St Petersburg regularly announce work experience opportunities in Russia and globally, for which expatriate teenagers may apply alongside Russian students. These include:

Depending on various conditions, some expatriate teenagers leave Russia to pursue university education in the country of their choice. However, there are also opportunities to study at well-established institutions, mainly centred in Moscow. These include:

Employment Laws

The minimum age for employment is 14. At this age teenagers normally finish basic secondary school and can choose to either continue education in upper secondary school or to go to work. Some teenagers opt for three years at college with an opportunity to organise some work experience and subsequently find employment in a chosen industry.

Even if high school is chosen, then a path into university or another institute, teenagers often still try to work evening or summer jobs. This can be found as couriers, typists, babysitters or in fast-food restaurants during the daytime.

Teenagers of 14-18 years of age cannot be employed or work under the following conditions:

  • If work may cause hard to health or morals (workplaces include casinos, night clubs, tobacco kiosks, alcohol, drugs and toxic materials sales)
  • Life hazards or other harmful conditions are involved at work
  • Overtime
  • Underground work
  • Work trips

Working Hours

14-15 Year Olds:

  • During an academic year: no more than 2.5 hours per day or 12 hours per week
  • On vacations: no more than five hours per day or 24 hours per week

16-18 Year Olds

  • During an academic year: no more than four hours per day or 17.5 hours per week
  • On vacations: no more than seven hours per day or 35 hours per week

Those under the age of 18 are not legally permitted to work at night (between 22:00 to 06:00), at weekends or on state holidays.

Wages

Wages vary depending on the workplace and the region of the country. In general, as of 2012, the minimum legal wage (full-time) for any age is R.4,611 per month.