Ever More Russians Taking Second Jobs to Make Ends Meet, Putting Their Health at Serious Risk, Experts Say

Paul Goble

            Staunton, Aug. 21 – As the rate of increase in wages and salaries has slowed, ever more Russians are seeking second jobs either to make ends meet or to save for major purchases, sociological studies show. But many are now working so many additional hours that they are putting their health and even their lives in danger.

            According to a lead article in Nezavisimaya Gazeta, 47 percent of Russians tell pollsters that they would like to get a second job to cope with their daily needs or plans for major purchases; and even more have considered doing so over the past year (ng.ru/editorial/2025-08-21/2_9321_red.html).

            Even before taking a second job, Russians are now working on average 45 hours a week. With a second position, many are working 50, 55 or even more hours a week, figures that put their health at risk and place ever more serious burdens on the Russian healthcare system, the paper suggests.

            Those working 55 hours or more see their risk of a heart attack increase by 35 percent and their risk of death of heart and circulatory diseases go up by 17 percent, according to World Health Organization data. That means that taking second jobs will in many cases reduce still further not only worker efficiency but life expectancy as well.