The office of business ombudsman Boris Titov suggested removing restrictions on self-employed people by type of activity and allowing them to pay contributions to the Social Insurance Fund (SIF).

According to the law, the self-employed are currently unable to engage in certain activities, for example, they are forbidden to sell goods subject to mandatory labeling and to conduct medical activities. Also, while the law does not prohibit them from carrying passengers or luggage in passenger taxis, under current regulations only organizations and individual entrepreneurs can obtain licenses.

"Artificial restrictions on the application of the self-employed regime reduce the rate of 'whitewashing' the labor market in Russia," the office told RIA Novosti.

In addition, the self-employed are disadvantaged in social terms, as they have no opportunity to voluntarily pay contributions to the Social Insurance Fund and the Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund. This results in their being unprotected in case, for example, of illness or maternity leave, said Marina Bludyan, Ombudsman for the Protection of Entrepreneurs' Rights under Special Tax Regimes.

Made in Russia // Made in Russia

Author: Ksenia Gustova