LABOR INCOME OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES (ON THE EXAMPLE OF VOLOGDA REGION)
The problem of low income is typical for Russian citizens, including those employed in permanent jobs. People with disabilities are among the least protected categories of workers, as the chance of them finding prestigious jobs is lower due to bias on the part of potential employers. The purpose of this work was to analyze factors that determine the level of income of working people with disabilities: the general situation in the labor market of the region, as well as manifestations of discrimination against this category of the population. The data of sociological surveys of the population and disabled people living in the Vologda oblast, as well as the data of Russian and foreign studies made up the information base of the study. A comparative analysis of the level of income of working and unemployed people with disabilities, purchasing power self-assessment by respondents demonstrated the supporting role of a paid job in maintaining the economic well-being of people with disabilities. It is shown that employed persons with disabilities have higher estimates of the desired level of income compared to non-working persons with disabilities, and significantly higher self-assessment of the purchasing power of their income. At the same time, this group of respondents, regardless of the initial motive for employment, still wish to continue to increase their income. A kind of “illusion of well-being” is being formed since objectively the difference in the average per capita income of working and non-working people with disabilities is only 1,635 rubles. A comparative analysis of the income of disabled workers and the working population has demonstrated, on the one hand, the low cost of labor in the region in general and, on the other - indirect evidence of discrimination against people with disabilities, further reducing the level of pay they tend to receive. In this situation, social benefits remain the only guaranteed source of income for the population in question. In this situation, we can expect that the wellbeing of persons with disabilities will ultimately become dependent on social benefits and the reduction of opportunities for them to get a well-paying job and professional fulfillment.