November 16, 2020

For the Sake of Russia, You're Fired!


For the Sake of Russia, You're Fired!
Can firing workers really help GDP growth? Image by Ilmicrofono Oggiono via Flickr

GDP is a general measure of a company's economic development. Now a Russian non-profit economic organization has released suggestions for how to grow Russia's GDP: fire ineffective workers.

Experts at the Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-term Forecasting (CMASF)  said that authorities should not prevent such a large-scale firing, and that laws need to be corrected to allow it. According to their experts’ analysis, Russia’s labor productivity needs to grow annually by 4-4.5% in order to reach the government’s goal of 3-3.5% GDP growth per year. Without laying off ineffective workers, these markers will be difficult to achieve, according to CMASF.

There is skepticism whether a large increase in unemployment would actually be beneficial for Russia’s GDP long term. As one news source put it, in real life, it’s rare that the sheep are safe and the wolves are fed. However, experts at CMASF say that if this massive layoff doesn’t happen, the Russian economy will lag behind developed countries by a factor of 2.5 and behind some developing countries by a factor of 1.5.

Like this post? Get a weekly email digest + member-only deals
[INVALID]
[INVALID]

Some of our Books

Murder and the Muse
December 12, 2016

Murder and the Muse

KGB Chief Andropov has tapped Matyushkin to solve a brazen jewel heist from Picasso’s wife at the posh Metropole Hotel. But when the case bleeds over into murder, machinations, and international intrigue, not everyone is eager to see where the clues might lead.

The Latchkey Murders
July 01, 2015

The Latchkey Murders

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin is back on the case in this prequel to the popular mystery Murder at the Dacha, in which a serial killer is on the loose in Khrushchev’s Moscow...

How Russia Got That Way
September 20, 2025

How Russia Got That Way

A fast-paced crash course in Russian history, from Norsemen to Navalny, that explores the ways the Kremlin uses history to achieve its ends.

Survival Russian
February 01, 2009

Survival Russian

Survival Russian is an intensely practical guide to conversational, colloquial and culture-rich Russian. It uses humor, current events and thematically-driven essays to deepen readers’ understanding of Russian language and culture. This enlarged Second Edition of Survival Russian includes over 90 essays and illuminates over 2000 invaluable Russian phrases and words.

Fish
February 01, 2010

Fish

This mesmerizing novel from one of Russia’s most important modern authors traces the life journey of a selfless Russian everywoman. In the wake of the Soviet breakup, inexorable forces drag Vera across the breadth of the Russian empire. Facing a relentless onslaught of human and social trials, she swims against the current of life, countering adversity and pain with compassion and hope, in many ways personifying Mother Russia’s torment and resilience amid the Soviet disintegration.

Murder at the Dacha
July 01, 2013

Murder at the Dacha

Senior Lieutenant Pavel Matyushkin has a problem. Several, actually. Not the least of them is the fact that a powerful Soviet boss has been murdered, and Matyushkin's surly commander has given him an unreasonably short time frame to close the case.

About Us

Russian Life is a publication of a 30-year-young, award-winning publishing house that creates a bimonthly magazine, books, maps, and other products for Russophiles the world over.

Latest Posts

Our Contacts

Russian Life
73 Main Street, Suite 402
Montpelier VT 05602

802-223-4955