diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers1.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers1.kt
index fab6250febb..3fd0c17aacb 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers1.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers1.kt
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ val z1 = Z(42)
 val z2 = Z(x.s.length)
 
 // FILE: main.kt
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
 fun foo() {
@@ -32,4 +33,4 @@ fun foo() {
 fun main() {
     foo()
     println(z2.x)
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers2.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers2.kt
index e2972de9d3b..32f3b1f7787 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers2.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/codegen/initializers/workers2.kt
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ class Z(val x: Int)
 val z = Z(42)
 
 // FILE: main.kt
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
 fun main() {
@@ -20,4 +21,4 @@ fun main() {
     worker.execute(TransferMode.SAFE, { -> }, {
         it -> println(z.x)
     }).consume { }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/framework/multiple/shared/shared.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/framework/multiple/shared/shared.kt
index 60e655680d6..45d5a049ff9 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/framework/multiple/shared/shared.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/framework/multiple/shared/shared.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-import kotlin.native.concurrent.Worker
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
+import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
 object RuntimeState {
     fun produceChange() {
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing.kt
index 44167903835..729a82a6b59 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing_with_weak/main.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing_with_weak/main.kt
index d615e3bbc88..c0e355cad71 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing_with_weak/main.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/illegal_sharing_with_weak/main.kt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlinx.cinterop.autoreleasepool
 import objclib.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/kt42172/main.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/kt42172/main.kt
index f0f2fc79037..f7065b584d7 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/kt42172/main.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/kt42172/main.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class
 
 import objclib.*
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/objcWeakRefs.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/objcWeakRefs.kt
index 4f2ea279b37..83df0aa7f99 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/objcWeakRefs.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/objcWeakRefs.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/sharing.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/sharing.kt
index 34031583391..ebe04c3c886 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/sharing.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/sharing.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/utils.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/utils.kt
index 2172af8bde3..b916325d8e3 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/utils.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/utils.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ fun nsArrayOf(vararg elements: Any): NSArray = NSMutableArray().apply {
     elements.forEach {
         this.addObject(it as ObjCObject)
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/workerAutoreleasePool.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/workerAutoreleasePool.kt
index fe13e8890d5..22af9b12f2a 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/workerAutoreleasePool.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/objc/tests/workerAutoreleasePool.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/workerSignals/workerSignals.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/workerSignals/workerSignals.kt
index 00395706fc9..7fd22ce7b9f 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/workerSignals/workerSignals.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/interop/workerSignals/workerSignals.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(kotlin.ExperimentalStdlibApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(kotlin.ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_in_tls_worker.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_in_tls_worker.kt
index 9ff8f7e359b..dae92c720e0 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_in_tls_worker.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_in_tls_worker.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2020 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.test.*
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_workers.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_workers.kt
index 5655993b5ed..4d2dff869fc 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_workers.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/cleaner_workers.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2020 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.experimental.ExperimentalNativeApi::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.experimental.ExperimentalNativeApi::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.basic.cleaner_workers
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/initializers6.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/initializers6.kt
index 7c08d654282..32d382b4e1b 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/initializers6.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/initializers6.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.basic.initializers6
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/worker_random.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/worker_random.kt
index e46d6cc2493..97a2fe106c9 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/worker_random.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/basic/worker_random.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.basic.worker_random
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
@@ -39,4 +40,4 @@ fun testRandomWorkers() {
     workers.forEach {
         it.requestTermination().result
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/concurrent/worker_bound_reference0.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/concurrent/worker_bound_reference0.kt
index d3b2fb7f2d8..6544f686c5d 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/concurrent/worker_bound_reference0.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/concurrent/worker_bound_reference0.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2020 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.concurrent.worker_bound_reference0
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/memory/stable_ref_cross_thread_check.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/memory/stable_ref_cross_thread_check.kt
index e6e8b7f2d0f..71f6d9caede 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/memory/stable_ref_cross_thread_check.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/memory/stable_ref_cross_thread_check.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2020 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.memory.stable_ref_cross_thread_check
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/atomic0.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/atomic0.kt
index 8ed4df9263c..c1bd6deb337 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/atomic0.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/atomic0.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.atomic0
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/enum_identity.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/enum_identity.kt
index eb8d4010988..2bf9c2bddb8 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/enum_identity.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/enum_identity.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.enum_identity
 
 import kotlin.test.*
@@ -21,4 +22,4 @@ fun runTest() {
         input.kind == A.B
     }).result
     println(result)
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze0.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze0.kt
index 786a4ca32a2..2942bdc8b5a 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze0.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze0.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2018 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.freeze0
 
@@ -30,4 +30,4 @@ data class SharedData(val string: String, val int: Int, val member: SharedDataMe
     }
     worker.requestTermination().result
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze2.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze2.kt
index ed4fa558ed3..969dae22d9d 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze2.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze2.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2018 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.freeze2
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze3.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze3.kt
index 5ec6e64fe74..41fb32433f0 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze3.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/freeze3.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2018 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.freeze3
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy0.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy0.kt
index 396965d30f0..33ffc2bc957 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy0.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy0.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.lazy0
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy4.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy4.kt
index 6b450d9575e..30279bdd185 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy4.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/lazy4.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.lazy4
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_memory_with_worker_termination.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_memory_with_worker_termination.kt
index 00262efbe68..3460d2d8f36 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_memory_with_worker_termination.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_memory_with_worker_termination.kt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlin.native.Platform
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_worker.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_worker.kt
index 1afd59ebb20..66272ac8306 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_worker.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/leak_worker.kt
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlin.native.Platform
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/mutableData1.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/mutableData1.kt
index 197704f9310..9de286fb158 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/mutableData1.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/mutableData1.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.mutableData1
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
@@ -45,4 +45,4 @@ private fun assertContentsEquals(expected: ByteArray, actual: MutableData) {
     expected.forEachIndexed { index, byte ->
         assertEquals(byte, actual.get(index))
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker0.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker0.kt
index 0a6f63bb656..544391da85e 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker0.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker0.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker0
 
 import kotlin.test.*
@@ -22,4 +23,4 @@ import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
     }
     worker.requestTermination().result
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker1.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker1.kt
index 3f86cd876f3..9be59a9fa66 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker1.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker1.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker1
 
 import kotlin.test.*
@@ -32,4 +33,4 @@ import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
         it.requestTermination().result
     }
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker10.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker10.kt
index 25a4cf1ea00..ee4ba379002 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker10.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker10.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.experimental.ExperimentalNativeApi::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, kotlin.experimental.ExperimentalNativeApi::class, kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker10
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker11.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker11.kt
index a3df122edb5..748520270c8 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker11.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker11.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker11
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker2.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker2.kt
index 2cc47f2afb6..a09f070721e 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker2.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker2.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker2
 
 import kotlin.test.*
@@ -42,4 +43,4 @@ data class WorkerResult(val intResult: Int, val stringResult: String)
         it.requestTermination().result
     }
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker3.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker3.kt
index 03e54aee3c8..6c22dc74282 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker3.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker3.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker3
 
 import kotlin.test.*
@@ -33,4 +34,4 @@ fun main(args: Array<String>) {
     if (dataParam.int != 17) println("Fail 2")
     worker.requestTermination().result
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker4.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker4.kt
index 72d339d56f9..21fbdff2339 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker4.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker4.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker4
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker5.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker5.kt
index fe2b8f1e56c..649c9880b47 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker5.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker5.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2018 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.test.*
 
@@ -50,4 +50,4 @@ fun main() {
     runTest0()
     runTest1()
     runTest2()
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker6.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker6.kt
index 4a0985ae122..7b3c2668876 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker6.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker6.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker6
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker7.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker7.kt
index b045cb9dc1b..c038858b98d 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker7.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker7.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker7
 
 import kotlin.test.*
@@ -25,4 +26,4 @@ import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
     worker.requestTermination().result
 
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker8.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker8.kt
index 7aad72bde82..3703795c4a2 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker8.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker8.kt
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
  * Copyright 2010-2018 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.worker8
 
@@ -30,4 +30,4 @@ data class SharedData(val string: String, val int: Int, val member: SharedDataMe
     }
     worker.requestTermination().result
     println("OK")
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9.kt
index d8db459613e..c027f0c3028 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker9
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9_experimentalMM.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9_experimentalMM.kt
index 42a4a974b3c..1f2773f2ad7 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9_experimentalMM.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker9_experimentalMM.kt
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker9_experimentalMM
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exception_messages.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exception_messages.kt
index 97212f8c46f..7ec6a4353e2 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exception_messages.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exception_messages.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 package runtime.workers.worker_exception_messages
 
 import kotlin.test.*
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions.kt
index 1f5a7830425..d4d1458dcbe 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.worker_exceptions
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_legacy.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_legacy.kt
index e33e5f7b951..72cb38a8dca 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_legacy.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_legacy.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.worker_exceptions_legacy
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate.kt
index 3b5d3373723..2bf0eefd813 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_current.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_current.kt
index 54134c6281c..cf22f6bb3ea 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_current.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_current.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook.kt
index 548e72912c9..e3cb14a2365 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ExperimentalStdlibApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook_current.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook_current.kt
index 5860b931ec3..d3b85bef3d0 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook_current.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_exceptions_terminate_hook_current.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ExperimentalStdlibApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_list_workers.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_list_workers.kt
index 1ac15f88b5e..52b437049be 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_list_workers.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_list_workers.kt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-@file:OptIn(kotlin.ExperimentalStdlibApi::class)
+@file:OptIn(kotlin.ExperimentalStdlibApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 
 package runtime.workers.worker_list_workers
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_threadlocal_no_leak.kt b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_threadlocal_no_leak.kt
index edf615d9d5a..9a3f32979f9 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_threadlocal_no_leak.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/backend.native/tests/runtime/workers/worker_threadlocal_no_leak.kt
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
+@file:OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlin.native.Platform
 
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Future.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Future.kt
index 3b130c6961f..9193cdc1e4f 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Future.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Future.kt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- * Copyright 2010-2018 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
+ * Copyright 2010-2023 JetBrains s.r.o. Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license
  * that can be found in the LICENSE file.
  */
 
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import kotlin.native.internal.Frozen
 /**
  * State of the future object.
  */
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 enum class FutureState(val value: Int) {
     INVALID(0),
     /** Future is scheduled for execution. */
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ enum class FutureState(val value: Int) {
  * Class representing abstract computation, whose result may become available in the future.
  */
 @Suppress("NON_PUBLIC_PRIMARY_CONSTRUCTOR_OF_INLINE_CLASS")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public value class Future<T> @PublishedApi internal constructor(val id: Int) {
     /**
      * Blocks execution until the future is ready.
@@ -70,6 +72,7 @@ public value class Future<T> @PublishedApi internal constructor(val id: Int) {
 
 
 @Deprecated("Use 'waitForMultipleFutures' top-level function instead", ReplaceWith("waitForMultipleFutures(this, millis)"), DeprecationLevel.ERROR)
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public fun <T> Collection<Future<T>>.waitForMultipleFutures(millis: Int): Set<Future<T>> = waitForMultipleFutures(this, millis)
 
 
@@ -79,6 +82,7 @@ public fun <T> Collection<Future<T>>.waitForMultipleFutures(millis: Int): Set<Fu
  *
  * @param timeoutMillis the amount of time in milliseconds to wait for the computed future
  */
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public fun <T> waitForMultipleFutures(futures: Collection<Future<T>>, timeoutMillis: Int): Set<Future<T>> {
     val result = mutableSetOf<Future<T>>()
 
@@ -101,4 +105,4 @@ public fun <T> waitForMultipleFutures(futures: Collection<Future<T>>, timeoutMil
     }
 
     return result
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Internal.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Internal.kt
index bfb386506bc..f05ffe89154 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Internal.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Internal.kt
@@ -21,77 +21,98 @@ external internal fun Any?.isShareable(): Boolean
 // Implementation details.
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_stateOfFuture")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun stateOfFuture(id: Int): Int
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_consumeFuture")
 @PublishedApi
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun consumeFuture(id: Int): Any?
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_waitForAnyFuture")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun waitForAnyFuture(versionToken: Int, millis: Int): Boolean
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_versionToken")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun versionToken(): Int
 
 @kotlin.native.internal.ExportForCompiler
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun executeImpl(worker: Worker, mode: TransferMode, producer: () -> Any?,
                          job: CPointer<CFunction<*>>): Future<Any?> =
         Future<Any?>(executeInternal(worker.id, mode.value, producer, job))
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_startInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun startInternal(errorReporting: Boolean, name: String?): Int
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_currentInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun currentInternal(): Int
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_requestTerminationWorkerInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun requestTerminationInternal(id: Int, processScheduledJobs: Boolean): Int
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_executeInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun executeInternal(
         id: Int, mode: Int, producer: () -> Any?, job: CPointer<CFunction<*>>): Int
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_executeAfterInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun executeAfterInternal(id: Int, operation: () -> Unit, afterMicroseconds: Long): Unit
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_processQueueInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun processQueueInternal(id: Int): Boolean
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_parkInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun parkInternal(id: Int, timeoutMicroseconds: Long, process: Boolean): Boolean
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_getNameInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun getWorkerNameInternal(id: Int): String?
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun ThrowWorkerAlreadyTerminated(): Unit =
         throw IllegalStateException("Worker is already terminated")
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun ThrowWrongWorkerOrAlreadyTerminated(): Unit =
         throw IllegalStateException("Worker is not current or already terminated")
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun ThrowCannotTransferOwnership(): Unit =
         throw IllegalStateException("Unable to transfer object: it is still owned elsewhere")
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun ThrowFutureInvalidState(): Unit =
         throw IllegalStateException("Future is in an invalid state")
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun ThrowWorkerUnsupported(): Unit =
         throw UnsupportedOperationException("Workers are not supported")
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 internal fun WorkerLaunchpad(function: () -> Any?) = function()
 
 @PublishedApi
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_detachObjectGraphInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun detachObjectGraphInternal(mode: Int, producer: () -> Any?): NativePtr
 
 @PublishedApi
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_attachObjectGraphInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun attachObjectGraphInternal(stable: NativePtr): Any?
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_freezeInternal")
@@ -128,10 +149,13 @@ external internal fun checkIfFrozen(ref: Any?)
 
 @InternalForKotlinNative
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_waitTermination")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external public fun waitWorkerTermination(worker: Worker)
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_getPlatformThreadIdInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun getPlatfromThreadIdInternal(id: Int): ULong
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_Worker_getActiveWorkersInternal")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external internal fun getActiveWorkersInternal(): IntArray
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObjectTransfer.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObjectTransfer.kt
index 2aae88ca5c4..f22772d25c7 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObjectTransfer.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObjectTransfer.kt
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ import kotlin.native.internal.Frozen
  *  @see [kotlin.native.runtime.GC.collect].
  */
 // Not @FreezingIsDeprecated: every `Worker.execute` uses this.
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public enum class TransferMode(val value: Int) {
     /**
      * Reachability check is performed.
@@ -54,6 +55,7 @@ public enum class TransferMode(val value: Int) {
  */
 @Frozen
 @FreezingIsDeprecated
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public class DetachedObjectGraph<T> internal constructor(pointer: NativePtr) {
     @PublishedApi
     internal val stable = AtomicNativePtr(pointer)
@@ -84,6 +86,7 @@ public class DetachedObjectGraph<T> internal constructor(pointer: NativePtr) {
  * happen once.
  */
 @FreezingIsDeprecated
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public inline fun <reified T> DetachedObjectGraph<T>.attach(): T {
     var rawStable: NativePtr
     do {
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Worker.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Worker.kt
index 4002b744b66..1303b52d7b2 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Worker.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/Worker.kt
@@ -12,22 +12,28 @@ import kotlin.native.internal.IntrinsicType
 import kotlin.native.internal.TypedIntrinsic
 import kotlinx.cinterop.*
 
-/**
- *  ## Workers: theory of operations.
- *
- * [Worker] represents asynchronous and concurrent computation, usually performed by other threads
- * in the same process. Object passing between workers is performed using transfer operation, so that
- * object graph belongs to one worker at the time, but can be disconnected and reconnected as needed.
- * See 'Object Transfer Basics' and [TransferMode] for more details on how objects shall be transferred.
- * This approach ensures that no concurrent access happens to same object, while data may flow between
- * workers as needed.
- */
 
 /**
- * Class representing worker.
+ * Class representing a worker.
+ *
+ * [Worker] represents a thread of execution _and_ a queue of work sent to this worker.
+ * Once started, the worker processes its own queue until it is explicitly [terminated][requestTermination].
+ *
+ * Worker's API resembles both executor and threads API:
+ *
+ * - It is a resource that has to be [closed][requestTermination].
+ *     - Failure to terminatae **and** join the termination request leads to native memory leak.
+ *     - It cannot be terminated externally while processing the work queue, leading to a crash.
+ * - It can be [parked][park], but while parked, worker is allowed to process its own tasks' queue.
+ *     - In order to unpark a worker, any task has to be submited to the worker.
+ * - The work can be sent to the worker both in forms of regular [runnables][execute] and [delayed (timed)][executeAfter] runnables.
+ *     - There is no mechanism to cancel delayed runnables.
+ * - Attempts to invoke any method of worker being terminated lead to a runtime exception.
+ *     - It includes such things as innocuous [Worker.current] from the **current** worker.
  */
 @Suppress("NON_PUBLIC_PRIMARY_CONSTRUCTOR_OF_INLINE_CLASS")
 @OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public value class Worker @PublishedApi internal constructor(val id: Int) {
     companion object {
         /**
@@ -75,6 +81,9 @@ public value class Worker @PublishedApi internal constructor(val id: Int) {
     /**
      * Requests termination of the worker.
      *
+     * Returns [Future] that **must** be joined with [Future.result] blocking call.
+     * Failure to do so will leak native memory and underlying native thread handles.
+     *
      * @param processScheduledJobs controls is we shall wait until all scheduled jobs processed,
      * or terminate immediately. If there are jobs to be execucted with [executeAfter] their execution
      * is awaited for.
@@ -213,6 +222,7 @@ public value class Worker @PublishedApi internal constructor(val id: Int) {
  * @param block to be executed.
  * @return value returned by the block.
  */
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public inline fun <R> withWorker(name: String? = null, errorReporting: Boolean = true, block: Worker.() -> R): R {
     val worker = Worker.start(errorReporting, name)
     try {
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/WorkerBoundReference.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/WorkerBoundReference.kt
index 5f1e3672aab..7c8124cbcdb 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/WorkerBoundReference.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/concurrent/WorkerBoundReference.kt
@@ -8,12 +8,15 @@ package kotlin.native.concurrent
 import kotlin.native.internal.*
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_WorkerBoundReference_create")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external private fun createWorkerBoundReference(value: Any): NativePtr
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_WorkerBoundReference_deref")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external private fun derefWorkerBoundReference(ref: NativePtr): Any?
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_WorkerBoundReference_describe")
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 external private fun describeWorkerBoundReference(ref: NativePtr): String
 
 /**
@@ -31,6 +34,7 @@ external private fun describeWorkerBoundReference(ref: NativePtr): String
 @HasFinalizer
 @HasFreezeHook
 @FreezingIsDeprecated
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 public class WorkerBoundReference<out T : Any>(value: T) {
 
     private var ptr = NativePtr.NULL
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/Cleaner.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/Cleaner.kt
index df46aefb914..f9915e5d5e0 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/Cleaner.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/Cleaner.kt
@@ -76,7 +76,7 @@ public interface Cleaner
 @Suppress("DEPRECATION")
 @ExperimentalStdlibApi
 @ExportForCompiler
-@OptIn(ExperimentalNativeApi::class)
+@OptIn(ExperimentalNativeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 fun <T> createCleaner(argument: T, block: (T) -> Unit): Cleaner =
         kotlin.native.ref.createCleanerImpl(argument, block) as Cleaner
 
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ fun <T> createCleaner(argument: T, block: (T) -> Unit): Cleaner =
  * Perform GC on a worker that executes Cleaner blocks.
  */
 @InternalForKotlinNative
-@OptIn(kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class)
+@OptIn(kotlin.native.runtime.NativeRuntimeApi::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 fun performGCOnCleanerWorker() =
     getCleanerWorker().execute(TransferMode.SAFE, {}) {
         GC.collect()
@@ -94,20 +94,24 @@ fun performGCOnCleanerWorker() =
  * Wait for a worker that executes Cleaner blocks to complete its scheduled tasks.
  */
 @InternalForKotlinNative
+@OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 fun waitCleanerWorker() =
     getCleanerWorker().execute(TransferMode.SAFE, {}) {
         Unit
     }.result
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("Kotlin_CleanerImpl_getCleanerWorker")
+@OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 external internal fun getCleanerWorker(): Worker
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime("Kotlin_CleanerImpl_shutdownCleanerWorker")
+@OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 private fun shutdownCleanerWorker(worker: Worker, executeScheduledCleaners: Boolean) {
     worker.requestTermination(executeScheduledCleaners).result
 }
 
 @ExportForCppRuntime("Kotlin_CleanerImpl_createCleanerWorker")
+@OptIn(ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 private fun createCleanerWorker(): Worker {
     return Worker.start(errorReporting = false, name = "Cleaner worker")
 }
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/test/Launcher.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/test/Launcher.kt
index e684921499c..9f9db60f3f7 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/test/Launcher.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/internal/test/Launcher.kt
@@ -43,6 +43,7 @@ fun main(args: Array<String>) {
 
 @OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
 @ExperimentalNativeApi
+@ObsoleteWorkersApi
 fun worker(args: Array<String>) {
     val worker = Worker.start()
     val exitCode = worker.execute(TransferMode.SAFE, { args.freeze() }) {
diff --git a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/ref/Cleaner.kt b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/ref/Cleaner.kt
index 825fe7bc155..a4e76320d0d 100644
--- a/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/ref/Cleaner.kt
+++ b/kotlin-native/runtime/src/main/kotlin/kotlin/native/ref/Cleaner.kt
@@ -6,8 +6,7 @@
 package kotlin.native.ref
 
 import kotlin.experimental.ExperimentalNativeApi
-import kotlin.native.concurrent.isShareable
-import kotlin.native.concurrent.freeze
+import kotlin.native.concurrent.*
 import kotlin.native.internal.*
 import kotlinx.cinterop.NativePtr
 
@@ -91,7 +90,7 @@ public fun <T> createCleaner(resource: T, cleanupAction: (resource: T) -> Unit):
         createCleanerImpl(resource, cleanupAction)
 
 @ExperimentalNativeApi
-@OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class)
+@OptIn(FreezingIsDeprecated::class, ObsoleteWorkersApi::class)
 internal fun <T> createCleanerImpl(resource: T, cleanupAction: (T) -> Unit): Cleaner {
     if (!resource.isShareable())
         throw IllegalArgumentException("$resource must be shareable")
@@ -121,4 +120,5 @@ private class CleanerImpl(
 
 
 @GCUnsafeCall("CreateStablePointer")
-external private fun createStablePointer(obj: Any): NativePtr
\ No newline at end of file
+external private fun createStablePointer(obj: Any): NativePtr
+
diff --git a/libraries/stdlib/native-wasm/src/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObsoleteWorkersApi.kt b/libraries/stdlib/native-wasm/src/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObsoleteWorkersApi.kt
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..787fe512cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/libraries/stdlib/native-wasm/src/kotlin/native/concurrent/ObsoleteWorkersApi.kt
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/*
+ * Copyright 2010-2023 JetBrains s.r.o. and Kotlin Programming Language contributors.
+ * Use of this source code is governed by the Apache 2.0 license that can be found in the license/LICENSE.txt file.
+ */
+
+package kotlin.native.concurrent
+
+/**
+ * Marks all `Worker`-related API as obsolete.
+ *
+ * Workers are considered **obsolete**: their API shape, design, and behaviour
+ * have known flaws and pitfalls that are impossible to address in Worker's current form.
+ *
+ * Workers continue being supported and maintained, but they eventually will
+ * be replaced with threads API and then deprecated.
+ *
+ * It is not recommended to expose workers in public API or to have high coupling with Workers API,
+ * and instead, we suggest encapsulating them in a domain-specific API to simplify
+ * future migration and reduce potential exposure to dangerous API.
+ */
+@SinceKotlin("1.9")
+@RequiresOptIn(
+    message = "Workers API is obsolete and will be replaced with threads eventually",
+    level = RequiresOptIn.Level.WARNING
+)
+@Target(
+    AnnotationTarget.CLASS,
+    AnnotationTarget.ANNOTATION_CLASS,
+    AnnotationTarget.PROPERTY,
+    AnnotationTarget.FIELD,
+    AnnotationTarget.LOCAL_VARIABLE,
+    AnnotationTarget.VALUE_PARAMETER,
+    AnnotationTarget.CONSTRUCTOR,
+    AnnotationTarget.FUNCTION,
+    AnnotationTarget.PROPERTY_GETTER,
+    AnnotationTarget.PROPERTY_SETTER,
+    AnnotationTarget.TYPEALIAS,
+)
+@Retention(AnnotationRetention.BINARY)
+public annotation class ObsoleteWorkersApi
diff --git a/libraries/stdlib/src/kotlin/annotations/NativeAnnotations.kt b/libraries/stdlib/src/kotlin/annotations/NativeAnnotations.kt
index 2fbfb6505d2..45091e4def7 100644
--- a/libraries/stdlib/src/kotlin/annotations/NativeAnnotations.kt
+++ b/libraries/stdlib/src/kotlin/annotations/NativeAnnotations.kt
@@ -130,3 +130,4 @@ public expect annotation class RefinesInSwift()
 @ExperimentalObjCRefinement
 @SinceKotlin("1.8")
 public expect annotation class ShouldRefineInSwift()
+