Russian companies are increasingly turning to part-time employment to address personnel shortages and adapt to fluctuating workloads. This trend is facilitated by specialized platforms that aim to make part-time work legal and transparent.

Eighty percent of Russian companies currently face personnel shortages, particularly in mass and low-skilled professions. In St. Petersburg alone, large and medium-sized enterprises need nearly 150,000 workers. The demand for staff who do not require qualifications is particularly high, accounting for over 16% of the total need.

Despite a low official unemployment rate of 1.5% in St. Petersburg, businesses are struggling to find employees. Companies are now focusing on attracting temporary workers and leveraging specialized platforms like “Avito Part-time Job” to streamline the process. These platforms allow companies to post job openings and individuals to book shifts, offering flexibility for both parties.

A survey indicates that half of Russians engage in part-time work, with two-thirds doing so weekly. For many, part-time employment boosts monthly income by an average of 20%. Demand for part-time positions surged by almost 50% at the end of 2024.

Retail, warehouse logistics, and catering are among the sectors that find part-time employment particularly useful. Platforms are implementing measures to ensure compliance with self-employment regulations, such as preventing individuals from working for their primary employer or exceeding limits on shifts and income from a single customer.

As of April 2025, St. Petersburg has over 866,000 registered self-employed individuals, with the number growing by about 30% annually. Efforts are underway to prevent the replacement of traditional labor contracts with self-employment arrangements to protect tax revenues and social benefits.

Experts suggest the legal framework surrounding platform employment should be adaptable to support innovation while protecting the interests of all stakeholders. The potential adoption of a specific law on platform employment could bring more workers into the formal economy and ease pressure on businesses.