Socioeconomic Types of Contemporary Russian Otkhodniks (Domestic Temporary Labour Migrants)

The article deals with investigation of how economic behavior of the contemporary Russian otkhodnik (domestic temporary labor migrant) impacts his social status. The ideas of human capital theory are used. The author considers otkhodniks' knowledge and skills to determine the level of income according to their uniqueness, and defines them as "professional competence specificity". Otkhodniks' abilities, in their turn, should be considered from the perspective of readiness to endure harsh living and working conditions at the job site; the author defines them as "adaptability". Professional competence specificity and adaptability become the parameters for otkhodniks' economic behavior typology. The combination of "high" and "low" values of the parameters allows determining four socioeconomic types of otkhodniks: "maximalists", "fastidious", "drudges", and "standing about". "Maximalists" have unique skills, work and live in harsh conditions, earn big money and have a high status in their local community. They are carpenters who erect houses in the suburbs of major cities, and "rotation workers" in the extractive industries who work outdoors. This type prevails in the forest regions of the European part of Russia. "Fastidious" otkhodniks have unique skills and avoid working and living in harsh conditions; by their material situation they are similar to the local residents successfully employed in their hometown or village. They are communications technicians and otkhodniks who make repairs and renovate premises for wealthy clients. These otkhodniks are least of all integrated in the local social structure. "Drudges" do not have unique skills and endure harsh working and living conditions. They are respected by the local community; their earnings allow them to have a "decent" lifestyle, comparable with the lifestyle of locals successfully employed at the place of residence. They are builders, truckers, loggers, factory workers and "rotation workers" in the extractive industries who work indoors. "Standing about" otkhodniks do not have unique skills and avoid working and living in harsh conditions. They offer the employer only their presence and perform the simplest jobs. These are otkhodniks occupied in security, trade, catering and domestic services. Their earnings are lower than the amounts that people working locally receive. Their status in the local community is not high. This type is more frequent in the agricultural regions of the European part of Russia.

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