St. Petersburg Bans Migrant Workers from Delivery Jobs: A Shift in Employment Policy

St. Petersburg Enacts Ban on Migrant Workers in Delivery Jobs Amid Rising Tensions

By Anthony Marcus for Eurasia Business News, August 11, 2025

In a controversial move, St. Petersburg authorities have officially banned migrant workers from serving as couriers and delivery personnel. The decree, signed by Governor Alexander Beglov, was announced on August 11, 2025, and expands upon a previous regulation that restricted migrant workers from taxi services.

The new order encompasses all delivery-related jobs, including traditional courier services, goods transport, and home food delivery. The city administration claims the measure aims to combat illegal employment, enhance service quality and safety, and create more job opportunities for local residents, particularly students and young people. Businesses will have a three-month transition period to comply with the new regulations.

This decision aligns with a broader trend across Russia, where, as of January 2025, 49 regions—including newly annexed territories in Ukraine—have implemented similar bans targeting migrant workers in various sectors. The restrictions predominantly affect migrants from Uzbekistan and Tajikistan and are rooted in an anti-migrant campaign that gained momentum following a terrorist attack near Moscow in March 2024, which heightened concerns about rising crime rates among migrant populations.

Despite the pressing labor shortages in Russia—especially in manufacturing, retail, and transportation—experts warn that these bans could exacerbate existing challenges. Many argue that the country’s economic needs cannot be met without the contributions of migrant labor. Nevertheless, St. Petersburg’s administration remains steadfast in prioritizing local employment and addressing safety and service concerns.

As the city grapples with the implications of this ban, the community watches closely, with nearly 150,000 readers engaged in the ongoing discourse surrounding labor, migration, and public safety.

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