Russian Labour Market Amidst Coronavirus Pandemic

Abstract

The article reflects the results of a statistical analysis of signifcant changes in the Russian labour market in 2020 amidst the spread of coronavirus infection. The study presents the results of a labour force survey organized for the frst time in Russia (following the ILO recommendations) through telephone interviews of respondents based on a representative sample.

The author analyzed the transformation of the Russian labour market in both the Russian Federation as a whole and regions using different group forming criteria, in particular, types of economic activity, sectors of the economy, various socio-demographic characteristics of the population (gender, age, place of residence, etc.). The paper outlines the dynamics and structure of employment (including part-time work) and unemployment, as well as the results of a comparative analysis of the unemployment rate in Russia and a number of foreign countries. Other indicators of labour underutilization, including the potential labour force, are considered.

To conduct a comprehensive analysis of the effects of the pandemic on the Russian labour market transformation indicators of dynamics of employees' wages are considered along with indicators of employment. At the same time, special attention is given to the analysis of the situation of personnel remuneration during the most severe period of the viral pandemic – in April 2020