At the 100th session of the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Vladimir Putin presented a report and renounced the idea of increasing the 40-hour workweek.
The International Labour Organisation is one of the oldest and influential institutions in the international arena. Many international statistical agencies widely use its methods in their work. As an example, the International Labour Organisation introduced a special system of unemployment estimates that considers not only those registered with the unemployment office but rather all those unemployed and ready to start work in the upcoming week.
The prime minister acknowledged the crucial role that the International Labour Organisation plays, especially during this period of global economic crisis. Many of the issues have already been resolved; the prime minister believes that the Russian economy has recovered from the crisis by more than two-thirds. "Naturally, in these circumstances, it is very easy to end up resorting to actions that would in fact violate fundamental human rights and freedoms and thus engender new risks", stated Putin.
What actions he refers to Putin clarified toward the end of his speech. He spoke of a government's objective to create at least 25 million modern, high-paid positions by 2020. Putin specified, "And, make no mistake, we will not compromise our high level of social guarantees and will not permit an increase of the 40-hour workweek, nor are we going to skirt around occupational safety and environmental standards."
The idea to increase the workweek to 60 hours was first introduced last November by the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, and Mikhail Prokhorov in particular. This proposal caused an uproar (perhaps that is why Prokhorov has decided to enter politics?), and the issue was raised at the meeting of President Dmitry Medvedev with the unions.
Later, the billionaire tried to elaborate by stating that the 20 additional hours would be optional and actually welcomed by the workforce. There were, however, no supporters left. Now, Prime Minister Putin has made the government's position public on the international level.
Yelena Shishkunova