Deepening of differentiation in the levels of social and economic development in the spatial cut is transformed into the sphere of social and labor relations, which resulted in the formation of different types of local labor markets, in the structure of which depressive changes occupy an important place. These markets differ significantly from equilibrium and crisis ones as they retain adequate specificity of reproduction processes, motivational mechanisms to stimulate labor activity, are characterized by different levels of employment and unemployment, opportunities to attract people to the process of employment. The specifics of the functioning of depressed labor markets necessitates the establishment of appropriate labor market infrastructure, regulation of social and labor relations. It includes a range of institutions appropriate to the operation, which serves part of the mechanism of regulation of employment. The aim of the article is a theoretical and methodical substantiation of scientific approaches to the formation of infrastructure regulation of depressed labor markets. Considering the infrastructure of depressed labor markets as a complex process, two components have been allocated in its structure: institutional, represented by different regulatory subjects, and the function that provides the reproduction processes of formation and use of labor potential of depressed areas. The scientific novelty of the research is to deepen the conceptual foundations of the formation of the institutional infrastructure of depressed labor markets, allocation of its structure functional subsystems that implement the functions of regulation of social and labor relations, labor market and employment. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of using the developed proposals in the process of implementation of the state policy of employment in depressed areas. Achieving equilibrium in depressed labor markets requires the development of an appropriate institutional infrastructure, which should include three functional subsystems - a special, serving the financial and credit and implementing certain regulatory functions and ensure the stability of the labor market. Prospects for future research directions need scientific research to improve labor market regulation mechanisms, institutional infrastructure, strengthening the role of local communities in the regulation of social and labor relations, with the status of depressive territories.