Countering illegal employment in new conditions

Abstract

The article analyzes the current economic and social situation in the country, examines the challenges faced by the Russian labor market. Attention is drawn to the fact that illegal (informal) employment is still widespread. The economic and legal reasons and prerequisites for the use of illegal employment are identified, methods of combating illegal employment are considered in the historical context, and the impact of digitalization of the economy on the spread of illegal employment is analyzed. At the end of 2023, the "long-awaited" new Federal Law "On Employment in the Russian Federation" was adopted. The new law has a separate chapter dedicated to the problem that has existed for a long period of time – countering illegal employment, the concept of "illegal employment" has been introduced, which seems rather narrow and not quite correct. As a follow-up to this law, a number of regulations have been adopted that provide for specific measures to counter illegal employment. Of particular interest are the newly created interdepartmental commissions in the subjects of the Russian Federation to combat illegal employment and the powers of these commissions, their work in cooperation with tax authorities, as well as maintaining a register of employers who use illegal employment. The article examines the risks that are seen in the activities of interdepartmental commissions, suggests measures to further improve legislation in order to counter illegal employment, it is proposed in this part to expand the list of rights of state labor inspectors. Attention is drawn to the gaps in the current legislation regarding the regulation of platform employment (employment through digital platforms) and their impact on the prevalence of illegal employment.