The Ministry of Labor is preparing a new package of measures to assist employers who hire people with disabilities under the national “Personnel” program. In Russia, current reports indicate that only about 27% of working-age individuals with disabilities are employed.
During a visit to the Russian State Social University (RGSU), Russian Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov outlined some of these upcoming initiatives and highlighted the focus on employers who will provide jobs for people with disabilities.
Kotyakov stated that a series of measures will be developed within the framework of the National “Personnel” project, with particular attention to enterprises that create opportunities for employees with disabilities. He noted that the full range of activities and goals associated with the national project would be announced beginning in mid-September. [Source: Ministry of Labor, Russia]
Mikhail Terentyev, chairman of the All-Russian Association of Disabled Persons and deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs, pointed out that Russia has about 4.2 million working-age disabled people, of whom only around 1.15 million are employed, equating to roughly a 27% employment rate. [Source: All-Russian Association of Disabled Persons]
More than 300,000 people are currently employed in quota organizations. In enterprises with more than 100 employees, 2 to 4 percent of positions must be reserved for people with disabilities. In total, there are about 410,000 quota positions nationwide. [Source: State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs]
Terentyev also noted recent steps aimed at improving the employment prospects for people with disabilities. In particular, it was decided in the spring to continue indexing pensions for working pensioners, effective February 1, 2025. This change is expected to boost the incentive for individuals with disabilities to pursue work, as earnings previously affected their pension levels. [Source: State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs]
On September 1, a Labor Ministry order took effect requiring each region to set quotas for the employment of people with disabilities in enterprises employing more than 35 workers, with a mandate of 2 to 4 percent. In May, legislation was enacted that increased administrative liability for quota evasion to 30 thousand rubles for officials and 100 thousand rubles for legal entities. [Source: Ministry of Labor, Russia]
Yet discrimination against disabled workers can appear not only through explicit refusals to hire. Indirect barriers, such as the absence of necessary facilities like ramps or insufficient support for remote work, can also hinder access to employment, according to Olga Aygenzer, a lawyer with the Rostov Regional Bar Association “Sovetnik.” [Source: Rostov Regional Bar Association]
Aygenzer explained that if an employee believes rights have been violated, they may file complaints with the prosecutor’s office, the Labor Inspectorate, a trade union, or the courts. In 2017, the Ministry of Labor of Russia identified indicators of employment discrimination against people with disabilities in a formal directive (Order No. 777). [Source: Ministry of Labor, Russia]
In related developments, Putin has previously addressed pensions for several categories of Russian citizens, underscoring ongoing policy adjustments designed to balance social protections with active labor participation. [Source: Government of Russia]