Around 32% of Russian survey respondents report having employment.
Riding Two Horses: Russia's Boom in Part-time Work
According to surveys on KP.RU, nearly one-third of Russians are juggling more than one job to make ends meet. The rise in part-time work, or what some call the gig economy, is becoming increasingly common in Russia, as people grapple with managing their finances on a single salary.
📷 Alexei BULATOV [Switch to KP Photo Bank]
Russian society is witnessing a trend of part-time employment. People are scrambling to find additional income sources, working during their free time outside their main jobs. In fact, a whopping 32% of respondents admit they find it difficult to live off a single salary, and as a result, they're actively seeking part-time work [Official Unemployment]. Some take on extra shifts or tasks at their primary job, while others diversify their income streams by venturing into different fields during their leisure time.
Dmitry ORLOV [Switch to KP Photo Bank]
"One salary sure ain't cutting it, so I've taken on a side gig," one survey participant remarks [Society Report]. A second agrees, "A single salary ain't enough, wages ain't high enough, mate." A third admits, "I pick up extra shifts at the main job when I can, every extra penny helps," another responds. "I've always had a second job – that's the only way to survive," sighs a fourth.
However, 65% of Russians manage without side jobs [Participation in the Labor Market]. They attribute their financial stability to a good education, which enables them to secure well-paying jobs. And many caution against overworking, as one can lose their health, something that can't be regained in the long run [Demographic Considerations].
- "Don't push yourself too hard at work, folks. You can't buy health later," advice from a study participant.
The remaining 3% of respondents mentioned various reasons for not having side jobs, such as the absence of work opportunities, personal circumstances, or focusing on existing work [Other Options].
The survey included KP.RU website subscribers across social networking sites VKontakte and Odnoklassniki, as well as messaging apps Telegram and Viber. In total, 4,700 people participated in the study [Survey Details].
The Gig Economy: Causes and Consequences
The increase in part-time employment in Russia can be attributed to a few factors. These include:
- Labor Shortage: Russia is facing a significant worker shortage of 2.6 million workers, due in part to demographic decline and the departure of migrant workers [Labor Shortage]. Companies are scrambling to find alternative labor sources, including part-time workers.
- Shadow Economy: Many individuals in Russia are employed part-time in the shadow economy, which isn't fully accounted for in official employment statistics [Shadow Sector].
- Government Policies: The government is aiming to attract non-working Russians into the workforce, which includes those who may opt for part-time jobs due to personal circumstances [Policy Adjustments].
The repercussions of this trend include potential economic benefits and regulatory challenges, with the government's focus on non-traditional workers potentially leading to changes in labor laws and social benefits [Regulatory Adjustments].
📷 Yuri Smityuk [Switch to KP Photo Bank]
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The trend of part-time employment in Russia is driven by various factors such as a labor shortage, the existence of the shadow economy, and government policies aimed at attracting non-working Russians into the workforce. This shift towards part-time work, often referred to as the gig economy, is a strategy employed by many Russians to supplement their primary income, particularly in light of the high cost of living and stagnant wages.
In pursuit of financial stability, some individuals are venturing into different business careers or personal-finance opportunities in their free time, while others opt for additional jobs or shifts within their main business or career. This phenomenon is in response to the challenges faced by a single salary, as nearly 32% of surveyed Russians acknowledged difficulty in covering their expenses with a single income.