In 2005, Russia's labor force was estimated at 74.22 million. As of 2004, it was estimated that agriculture accounted for 10.3% of the country's workforce, with 68.3% in the services sector, and 21.4% in industry. Although Russia's unemployment rate in 2005 was estimated at 7.6%, a considerable number of workers were underemployed.

A legacy from the Soviet era, the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia (FNPR) still dominates organized labor and claims to represent 80% of all workers. The mining and air transport industries (along with the state sector) are highly unionized. Overall, about 46% of the workforce is at least nominally organized, with around 90% of them members of the FNPR. The legal right to strike is hindered by complex requirements. Court rulings have determined that nonpayment of wages, the most prevalent labor complaint, is an individual issue and cannot be addressed by the union. The right to bargain collectively is not regularly protected.

The monthly minimum wage was $28 as of September 2005, which was not sufficient to provide a family with a decent standard of living. Most workers earn more than this amount, however it was estimated that 18% of the workforce earned less. Although the labor code provides a maximum regular workweek of 40 hours with a 24-hour rest period, many laborers put in 10- to 12-hour days. Children under the age of 16 are banned from most employment, but 14 year old minors can work under certain conditions with the approval of a parent or guardian. In such cases, the health and the welfare of the child must not be threatened. While these provisions are generally enforced through government action, prevailing social norms and a large pool of low-wage adult workers, child labor remains a problem, especially in the informal economy. The law establishes minimum standards of workplace safety and worker health, but these are not effectively enforced.