Russia's Regions Enter Third Wave of Public Sector Layoffs

Russian regions are again reducing the number of public sector employees because of budget deficits. According to TVNET, a third such wave of layoffs has now begun. This indicates that regional finances remain under strain.

Irkutsk Oblast was first

Irkutsk Oblast was the first to announce, at the end of October, a new cut in public sector staff. By economic activity it is the second-largest region in the Siberian Federal District. The stated reason is a "hole" in the oblast's budget.

Earlier waves

The first wave came at the end of last year, when a number of regions laid off public sector workers because of a budget shortfall. A second wave was observed in the first half of this year. The current one is the third in a row.

The source does not say how many employees will be laid off in Irkutsk Oblast or elsewhere, nor does it name other regions that may follow.