Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Chinese Workers Protest Unpaid Wages at Russian Construction Sites
More than 1,000 Chinese workers in Russia reportedly protested because they had not been paid.
They surrounded police vehicles after one worker was detained.
The worker had reportedly argued with managers about missing wages.
The workers were employed on projects connected to a Chinese state-owned company.
Reports say some workers also complained about confiscated passports and unclear subcontracting arrangements.
The company reportedly gave different explanations for why payments were delayed.
Nearly 10 Chinese workers were reported to have died at work sites in 2025.
Another protest involving about 1,500 workers happened after a contract with Rosneft ended.
The events show that migrant workers can face serious difficulties when employers do not pay them.
More than 1,000 Chinese construction workers reportedly surrounded police vehicles and secured the release of a detained colleague.
The worker was allegedly detained after an altercation with managers following months of unpaid wages.
The protest involved a company wholly owned by China National Chemical Engineering Group, a Chinese state enterprise.
Russia's reported unpaid wage arrears reached 2.879 billion rubles in April 2026, rising 35% in one month and 94% year over year.
A separate protest in Komsomolsk-on-Amur reportedly involved about 1,500 workers after Rosneft terminated a contract.
- Who
- More than 1,000 Chinese construction workers and a Chinese state-owned company's contractors were involved; another protest involved about 1,500 workers.
- What
- Workers protested alleged unpaid wages, and some reportedly forced police to release a detained colleague.
- When
- The main incident was reported as occurring in August; Russia's wage-arrears figures cited in the report cover April 2026, while the separate protest occurred in April.
- Where
- The incidents occurred in Russia, including Komsomolsk-on-Amur.
- Why
- Workers reportedly protested months of unpaid wages and related complaints involving passports, subcontractors, and changed payment arrangements.
Workers' Accounts
Reported Company Explanations
Reasons for unpaid wages
Workers' Accounts
Workers reportedly said their wages had been withheld for months and complained about opaque subcontractors and payment arrangements.
Reported Company Explanations
The report said company representatives offered explanations including a bank-account issue involving one worker.
Employment conditions
Workers' Accounts
Workers reportedly complained that passports were confiscated and fixed salaries were changed to piece-rate contracts.
Reported Company Explanations
The company reportedly did not provide responses to the report's allegations about unpaid wages and workplace deaths.
Response to disputes
Workers' Accounts
Workers used public protests to seek the release of a detained colleague and to demand payment.
Reported Company Explanations
The reported disputes followed conflicts involving police, managers, subcontractors, and terminated contracts.
- Workers in main protest
- More than 1,000 Chinese construction workers
- Reported wage arrears
- 2.879 billion rubles in Russia in April 2026
- Monthly change
- Up 35% from the previous month
- Annual change
- Up 94% from the previous year
- Separate protest
- About 1,500 workers in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
- Reported workplace deaths
- Nearly 10 Chinese workers died at work sites in 2025
- Main company ownership
- The company was described as wholly owned by China National Chemical Engineering Group