Commenting for RBC on the data of a record 10-years level of part-time employment in Russia, Lyubov Filin, Head of Evidence-Based Regulatory Practice Department at the Gaidar Institute, explained the reasons for high rates in the regions.
“Indeed, Moscow does provide more opportunities for flexible employment, remote work and additional income. However, high rates of part-time employment in regions such as Perm Krai, Yaroslavl and Chelyabinsk regions can be explained by the following:
1) Structure of economy. Large industrial enterprises predominate in these regions. When demand for products drops, they often put their employees on part-time work or idle mode.
2) Less alternative employment. Unlike Moscow, regions have fewer offers on the labor market, especially in the platform, high-tech and service sectors.
3) Insufficient digitalization and remote jobs. This limits flexibility for employers and employees.
However, Moscow more often uses tools of flexible but full employment, for example: remote work, combined schedule, part-time work, without switching to formal part-time employment”, said the expert.
Lyubov Filin also noted common factors contributing to growth of part-time employment in 2024. “Growth of part-time employment in 2024 appears to be quite logical and in line with general observations. It may be a result of structural changes in the economy, as well as employers' desire to cut costs avoiding mass layoffs. Part-time employment is a tool for flexible adaptation of business, especially in times of economic uncertainty,” the expert noted.
“Lyubov Filin added that «there is a growing desire for work-life balance among young people and highly qualified experts. Part-time employment is a compromise between income and free time”.
