Precarization of Work of Employees with Disabilities in Contemporary Russia: Towards a Research Problem Statement

Abstract

This systematic review examines the precarization of employment among people with disabilities (PwD) in contemporary Russia. Drawing on theoretical approaches to precariat studies, empirical data, and previous research, the authors identify key employment risks faced by PwD and formulate relevant research questions. This allows the conceptualization of PwD as part of the precariat in the context of contemporary Russian socio-­economic conditions. The article operationalizes the concept of precarity for PwD and shows that their employment vulnerability is determined by a combination of objective and subjective factors. The authors argue that the precarity of PwD should be understood as a multidimensional social phenomenon that requires further intersectional analysis. Using data from Russian and international studies, as well as statistical and media sources, the authors show that the employment of PwD exhibits significant features of precarity. Particular attention is paid to how the status of disability, labor market discrimination, and the specificities of social policies exacerbate the inclusion of PwD in the Russian precariat. Based on the identified research questions, the article outlines future research directions, focusing on both macro- and micro-­level factors. Macro-level factors include the characteristics of state policies and socio-­economic conditions, while micro-­level factors relate to the characteristics of individual workers, such as gender, age, health status, and the organizational culture of employers. The authors also highlight the importance of studying the digital transformation of labor, life strategies of PwD, and the role of social programs in their integration. The research questions formulated in the article pose methodological challenges that are essential for analyzing the precariat in the contemporary Russian context. According to the authors, addressing these questions could contribute to the development of inclusive employment practices and the improvement of social protections for PwD in Russia.