Russia has announced its support for early employment of teenagers

Maria Lvova-Bilova, Russia’s Children’s Rights Commissioner, stated that more than three-quarters of Russians support the early involvement of children in work. According to her, 78% of survey participants expressed this view.

The Ombudsman noted that many Russian teenagers allegedly want to work and earn money on their own. She emphasized the importance of creating programs that would allow young people to gain their first professional experience before reaching the age of majority. In her view, such initiatives help teenagers adapt more quickly to adult life and teach them financial independence.

Lvova-Belova also stated that early employment can be combined with career guidance support, which will help young people decide on their future profession. She believes this will foster a sense of responsibility and the skills needed to earn a living independently.

Previously, another Russian official, Moscow’s Children’s Ombudsman Olga Yaroslavskaya, advocated for relaxing the rules on the employment of minors. In particular, she proposed reinstating the practice of labor camps for schoolchildren and allowing teenagers to officially work from a younger age.

Discussions of such initiatives are taking place against the backdrop of a growing labor shortage in Russia. According to estimates by Western analysts, the shortage of workers in the country is already in the hundreds of thousands and even millions. According to Lvova-Belova, approximately 1.2 million teenagers entered the labor market last year, but the number of available jobs fell short of demand.