Russian Employment Protection: Analysis from the Perspective of EU Flexicurity Policy

Abstract

Although the term 'flexicurity' is not used in the Russian context, the question arises as to whether all or some elements of this EU policy are applied in Russia. This article argues that widespread claims about the excessive 'rigidity' of Russian employment protection legislation are seriously exaggerated, and that existing legal mechanisms give employers sufficient flexibility to manage labour relations. At the same time, the 'security' element of flexicurity, in the sense of active labour market policies, lifelong learning and effective social dialogue, is not implemented in an effective way in Russia. However, the major employers' association of Russia promotes only deregulatory changes to labour legislation in the face of limited opposition by weak trade unions. It is argued that this situation is dangerous for Russian social development, especially in the current economic situation.