A draft law proposing equalization of unemployment benefits during the first three months of payment with the minimum wage has been submitted to the State Duma for review. The document is available in the Duma’s electronic database for public access and scrutiny.
The press service of the lower chamber explained that the new version of the federal law entitled “On Employment in the Russian Federation” is designed to reduce unemployment and provide a more predictable financial safety net for job seekers and families during periods of job transition.
As of January 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Russia was set at 16,242 rubles per month, a figure that has been referenced in discussions about social support scales and entitlement thresholds across various programs.
During a recent analysis, Olga Lebedinskaya, a lecturer in statistics at the Russian University of Economic Sciences, highlighted that the 2023 wage increase also affects related social benefits. Specifically, adjustments in maternity capital, child care allowances, and related maternity payments follow the rise in the statutory minimum wage, influencing family financial planning and social policy calculations.
Additionally, Yaroslav Nilov, a deputy from the LDPR and chair of the State Duma Committee on Social Policy, indicated that a separate bill to provide scholarships for students whose income does not fall below the minimum wage is slated for submission to the lower house in the near term, signaling continued attention to ensuring educational access amid wage changes.
There were reports at the end of December that the State Duma intends to consider further increases to the minimum wage, with a potential rise to 20,000 rubles being discussed for January 18. The ongoing debates reflect a broader effort to align compensation levels with living standards and to refine the framework for social and economic support during times of wage policy reform.