Russian Labor Market in Transition

Official statistics and survey data for Russia highlight the nature and scope of change in the Russian labor market over the last decade. In 1991 and 1992, the overall rate of unemployment in Russia was much lower than anticipated, but the incidence of unemployment was relatively high in the central, northwestern, and north Caucasus regions. Data from pre- and postperestroika surveys was used to evaluate whether select economic and social factors typically associated with employment decisions by households and firms had changed significantly from 1980 to 1995. Economic factors considered include: 1. overstaffing, 2. declining productivity, 3. time theft, 4. firings, and 5. the trade union's role. Social and cultural factors include: 1. job search 2. job choice, 3. career advancement, and 4. gender differences. The Soviet legacy was still apparent in the Russian labor market in 1992. Employment patterns and relative wages across sectors were the same as in the preperestroika period.