Lyubov Filin on the cooling of the labor market in Russia

Lyubov Filin on the cooling of the labor market in Russia
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Lyubov Filin, Head of the Gaidar Institute’s Evidence-Based Regulatory Practice Department, assessed the current situation in the Russian labor market in a commentary for Forbes, noting signs of its cooling.

“The number of vacancies is decreasing, while resumes are becoming more numerous. This is largely a consequence of general economic caution: companies are adapting to high interest rates, uncertainty and reassessing their staffing needs. At the same time, some businesses are not so much refusing to hire as taking a pause,” the expert noted.

According to Lyubov Filin, the market is not falling yet now, but has slowed down after rapid growth. “In the coming months, hiring may be cautious, especially in vulnerable industries. But if the situation in the economy starts to improve — rates will go down, demand will grow — companies will start hiring more actively again. We can already see that business is ready to return to staff expansion in the second half of the year», — said the expert.

Business is already taking steps to combat staff shortages: it raises salaries, organizes training, retains employees through flexible employment, including remote employment, and uses internal rotation. “In the future — more active introduction of technology and automation. Employers realize that simply looking for ready-made people will no longer work — they need to invest in development within the company,” emphasized Lyubov Filin.

The expert drew attention to the possibilities of platform employment — when people work through digital platforms: cab, delivery, providing services/jobs. “This format is flexible, allows you to find a job quickly and change it quickly. It is especially popular among young people and those who want to combine several types of employment.

This is one of the main shifts: more and more people are working outside the classic office or staff scheme. Companies are also starting to take this into account — not all workers now have to be employed.

This approach is particularly noticeable in the service, logistics, IT and media sectors. In addition to demographics, this is due to the development of technology and the desire of people to have more control over their time and income, to have autonomy,” added Lyubov Filin.

Tuesday, 17.06.2025