Vladimir Putin congratulates Alexander Zhukov on his birthday at a meeting with Russian trade union activists.
Putin met with the heads of trade union organisations yesterday. The meeting focused on employment, wages and medical service problems. The head of government promised to consider their suggestions while adopting final decisions on these issues.
Putin tried to keep the dialogue informal with the trade union leaders, as the event coincided with Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zhukov's birthday. Zhukov served as the head of a commission representing the government, businesses and trade unions. Putin presented the deputy prime minister with a picture titled, "Village House by the River". Observing the rural landscape, Putin assured him that the gift was not from an agribusiness trade union, although he failed to specify from whom.
Putin set the format of the meeting comfortably by demonstrating the government's successes in providing social guarantees for the employed. In particular, he noted the large-scale modernisation of the health system.
"The major result of these changes will be better access to and a higher quality of medical services, and lower disease and mortality rates," he said, while inviting the trade union representatives to take part in this noble effort.
Putin's remark that a resolution is being prepared to increase financing for civil servant salaries was honey to the soul of the unionists, who represent millions of public sector employees. The document will be finalised this autumn. At the same time, the parameters of pension indexing for 2011 will be determined.
The framework agreement between the government and the all-Russia associations of trade unions and employers will expire this year. Putin stressed the need to conclude a similar agreement for 2011-2013, which will provide for the establishment of a system to monitor factors causing social tension.
Mikhail Shmakov, the chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia, was ready to take a constructive approach at the meeting with the prime minister and took the liberty of defending Russian arms makers. He assured the meeting's participants that the Russian defence industry will never revive without contracts from the Defence Ministry. He also encouraged the adoption of mandatory insurance against job loss, such as motor third-party liability insurance, and, eventually, the reconstruction of the Labour Ministry. The prime minister did not discuss the latter proposal, but recommended that the defence industry should produce more up-to-date and less expensive weapons.
In conclusion, Putin expressed his thoughts about the introduction of mandatory insurance against unemployment. The idea is valid, he said, but its implementation is possible only after the economy finally overcomes the crisis. Thus, all of Shmakov's initiatives went unsupported. However, this did not prevent him from looking quite satisfied at the briefing. The prime minister might feel the same way as well because he once again displayed his ability to act as a mediator between businesses and trade unions.
According to Konstantin Simonov, who runs Russia's Centre for Current Politics, such meetings fittingly match Putin's political style. He worked in such a mode as the president, and he continues to do so today, he said.
"How can he afford not to meet with business people or trade union leaders if complicated situations arise?" Simonov said. He noted that the prime minister faces no difficulties reaching mutual understanding.
Simonov stressed that partnerships with trade unions are becoming highly relevant in the context of economic modernisation. It is clear that technological upgrades at enterprises and increased labour productivity could send millions of people into the labour market. This is why it is so important to get the support of trade unions, he said.
Igor Naumov
