Gender Aspects of Shadow Employment in the North Caucasus Regions

Abstract

For many years, the North Caucasus region has been the leader in unemployment and shadow employment among the Russian Federation subjects. In addition to the economic factor, one of the reasons for the labour market tension is the high birth rate and low death rate in the region, creating enormous reserves of potential labour and significantly increasing labour competition. The problem of employment of women, who represent the least socially protected segment of the population in the region, is particularly acute. The study aims to study the factors that influence the characteristics of women’s employment in the North Caucasus republics in the informal sector and increase the gender gap in the labour market in the region. The article examines the problems of shadow employment in the region and analyses its dynamics in the context of the North Caucasus Federal District subjects. The main focus is on the reasons for women’s employment in the informal sector, taking into account the region’s peculiarities. The author examines the reasons for women’s employment from the economic, social and motivational points of view. Among the specific factors affecting the development of women’s shadow employment in the NCFD, early marriages, the presence of many children, low self-esteem, and low education level are indicated. It is proved that the results obtained are essential for government agencies and allow optimising social development programs in the regions aimed at reducing the unemployment rate.