LABOR MARKET IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN TERMS OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC: THE IMPACT OF THE VIRUS ON EMPLOYMENT, PRODUCTION OF GOODS AND SERVICES
A. Nikiforova, Bachelor
Saint Petersburg State University of Economics (Russia, St. Petersburg)
DOI: 10.24411/2411-0450-2020-11099
Abstract. The current situation on the labor market in Russia, which was complicated by the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus infection, was considered. The article analyzes the dynamics of changes in various sectors of production of goods and services and identifies methods that contribute to further development in the field of employment in the Russian Federation.
Keywords: labor market, unemployment, pandemic, coronavirus, socio-economic consequences.
The problems of employment and unemployment are one of the main and urgent problems of our time. Currently, unemployment in the Russian Federation is not only a result of the transition to a market economy, but also a consequence of the introduction of new technologies and equipment, which causes a reduction in the excess labor force. It is an important component in the life of Russia and affects the social, political and economic situation in the country.
In the modern sense, unemployment is a condition in which a part of the working-age population tries to find a job, but is unable to take a job, because of which it becomes a reserve army of labor.
According to paragraph 1 of article 3 of the law of the Russian Federation of 19.04.1991 N 1032-1 (edited from 31.07.2020) «On employment of the population in the Russian Federation», unemployed persons are recognized as able-bodied citizens aged 16 to 55 years (women) and 60 years (men) who:
1) do not have a permanent income.
2) are looking for a job and are ready to start it.
3) registered with the employment service to find a suitable job.
The main causes of unemployment in modern Russia are:
1) economic shifts in the economy, accompanied by the introduction of scientific and technological progress.
2) the economic downturn, which becomes a reason for employers to reduce the labor force in production.
3) an increase in the minimum wage, which increases the costs of production and circulation, which leads to a decrease in demand for labor.
4) seasonal changes in the level of production in certain sectors of the economy.
5) changes in the demographic structure of the population, that is, with the growth of the working-age population, the probability of unemployment increases.
Now the labor market has undergone major changes in the conditions of the spread of the coronavirus infection COVID-19. According to Rosstat, the unemployment rate in Russia was 4.6% (3.4 million people) in February, 4.7% (3.485 million people) in March, 5.8% (4.3 million people) in April, and 6.1% (4.5 million people) in May. Mass closure of enterprises, falling consumer demand and investment-all this is a consequence of the growing economic crisis. The growth rate of unemployment has an impact on the macro-and microeconomic development of the country.
Currently, it is possible to notice changes in the demand of employers for certain professions and services. Couriers, drivers, medical personnel, and specialists in the field of online education are in demand. In April-May 2020, industrial production suffered quite sharply. Manufacturers of transport and goods suffered losses, which cannot be said about
the increased demand for goods from pharmaceutical manufacturers [1].
In May 2020, compared to April, manufacturers significantly reduced the production of products: in May, the drop was
In figure 1 it is noticeable that in April, in annual terms, the production of jewelry decreased the most by 76.4%, for household appliances by 69.5% and for motor transport by 60.2%. In May, manufacturers were able to partially increase the indicators, but production still remained at a low level. In the jewelry industry by 35.6% from last year, in motor transport by 57.8%, in the production of household appliances by 74.9%.
It is worth noting that at present, the economic situation created by the epidemiology of the coronavirus is getting worse: the population's incomes are declining, attempts to find a job are failing, as there is a strong pressure on both employers and employees. A strong drop in the number of vacancies offered by employers also indicates the presence of a crisis in the labor market. Organizations have to reduce the number of employees, which leads to a sharp increase in the number of unemployed [2]. Tourism, hotels, restaurants, beauty salons, sports, art, marketing and advertising have suffered a huge decline due to the crisis. However, the areas of public service, non-profit organizations, working personnel, medicine, pharmaceuticals, construction, and real estate were able to survive and increased the demand for vacancies [3].
This situation leaves the labor market with no choice but to learn to adapt to changes. According to experts of the portal «Rabota.ru»: «The number of Russians work-
up to 9.6%, in April 6.6% - follows from the data of Rosstat. Most of all, the decline was felt by manufacturers of jewelry, household appliances and vehicles.
ing in companies that have switched to remote operation since the end of march this year has increased fivefold». It can be concluded that remote work is a promising form of employment. And to improve the situation, current and modern methods should be applied in the field of employment - especially online format.
Improving the level of qualification and training staff in more relevant and modern skills is also an effective measure to stabilize the situation in the labor market. To provide professional assistance in the field of vocational training of employees, support from the state is necessary since it is able to competently conduct economic and social policy and provide support in the employment of citizens. In addition, state support will ensure the regulation of the level of wages, the provision of social benefits to those in need, control of the situation in the market as a whole and so on. Depending on the level of interest of the state in the work aimed at stabilizing the overall situation in the labor market, this issue will either remain unchanged, thereby increasing the likelihood of chronic impoverishment of the population, or will be subjected to more detailed consideration, suggesting possible options for improving the situation [4]. But producers and consumers should not forget to make the most of their efforts, as practice shows that the effectiveness of support measures stands alongside transparency,
100%
50%
0%
UlUU
Motor Etc. Household Furniture
vehicles Vehicles appliances and equipment
Jewelry Sporting Leather and goods leather products, shoes
■ May 2020/May 2019 April 2020/April 2019 Fig. 1. Producers of goods most affected by the crisis. (Rosstat)
flexibility, and feedback from all economic vant employment in the market. the IT indus-actors. try will become a key area, which, in the fu-
Thus, the coronavirus turned the labor ture, will show itself as a lever of digitaliza-market in Russia upside down. Now further tion of the country. Thus, the coronavirus development depends on state support, per- pandemic can become a catalyst for the be-sonal initiative of both employers and em- ginning of a new, modern society and activate ployees. The part of the population that is left digitalization in Russia, which will lead to the without a job will have to look for themselves development of many spheres of public life. in other areas, retrain or retrain for more rele-
References
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РЫНОК ТРУДА В РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ В УСЛОВИЯХ ПАНДЕМИИ КОРОНАВИРУСА: ВЛИЯНИЕ ВИРУСА НА ЗАНЯТОСТЬ, ПРОИЗВОДСТВО
ТОВАРОВ И УСЛУГ
А. Никифорова, бакалавр
Санкт-Петербургский государственный экономический университет (Россия, г. Санкт-Петербург)
Аннотация. Рассмотрена текущая ситуация на рынке труда в России, которая была осложнена распространением коронавирусной инфекцией COVID-19. Анализируется динамика изменения в различных отраслях производства товаров и услуг, а также выявлены методы, способствующие дальнейшему развитию в сфере занятости в Российской Федерации.
Ключевые слова: рынок труда, безработица, пандемия, коронавирус, социально-экономические последствия.