The article discusses the fines as a disciplinary measure on the workers of the Cabinet Enterprises in the Altai territory in the late XIX — early XX centuries. On the basis of statistical information digests, archives, and legislative acts the author makes the conclusion that the situation that arose after the abolition of serfdom at the Cabinet gold mines in the Altai territory which was associated with the key money payments to the civilian workers, contributed to increase in their debt bondage. Being in debt bondage, the workers could not leave the factory before paying off the debt and had to renew the contract which was a factor of economic dependence. Punishment of workers was regulated by internal rules, which, though limiting the maximum fines, did not eliminate arbitrariness in penalties. Arbitrariness in the penalties at the enterprises of the Altai Territory often resulted in clashes between the workers and the factory administration. The reasons for the workers’ strikes were violation of the provisions of the contracts by the administration and the abuse of power. The workers were constantly putting forward the demands for the cancellation of penalties.