The impact of anti-COVID-19 restrictions and transitory unemployment insurance policies on unemployment in Russia

What is it about?

During acting COVID-19 restrictions an opportunity to work on platform (teleworkability) was linked to its protective effect against unemployment. On the opposite, high social interaction (face-to-face) intensity at work was associated with a greater risk of unemployment. This, however, was not the case in Russia. Job teleworkability increased individuals’ likelihood of claiming unemployment benefits there. Face-to-face intensity of the latest occupation did not lead to any increase in the number of unemployed persons. The results are in line with the typical response of the Russian labour market to downturn. The main effect is attributed to transition of unemployment application procedure on platform and a remarkably increased size of unemployment benefits.

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