Russian State & Labor Relations

Chairman of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia Mikhail Shmakov

Insight into the nature of labor relations within Russia always appears in the background of many of Putin’s meetings, and here we only get a small taste as the “details” are hidden from us. We do know that Russia’s unemployment rate is under 3% and there’s a very high demand for workers of all types, skilled and unskilled. We also know that many professions/trades have their own unique holiday where they’re specifically recognized. Basic information is available in English at the Federation’s website, which is worth a quick visit before reading the very short transcript that follows:

Vladimir Putin: Mikhail Viktorovich, you are all over thirty years old Won't you tell me?

M.Shmakov: No. I just want to say that we are moving towards the congress.

We have an intermediate Another date is 30 years since the turning point, since 1993. It turned out that I have been in charge for 30 years our organization.

Vladimir Putin: I would like to say that over the years of work, we can say that we have been working together. After all, you are often an inconvenient partner for the Government.

Maxim Shmakov: So far.

Vladimir Putin: But still, In general, approach issues of a social nature from a state standpoint. Of course, first of all, based on the interests of workers whose interests you are required to protect by law and on the raison d'être of trade unions. But in general, The state approach is very important. I hope that this will continue to be the case in the activities of trade unions.

Mikhail Shmakov: Vladimir Vladimirovich, the interests of the state and the interests of the working people in general match.

Vladimir Putin: I agree.

Maxim Shmakov: We Arguing about the details.

Vladimir Putin: Exactly. Ok. Let's talk in more detail. [My Emphasis]

As you can tell by the wry grin on Putin’s face in the photo, the two men have known each other for decades as Mr. Shamakov’s been the Federation Chair since its inception in 1993. There’s this snippet from the Trade Union’s website that provides the key basis for their conversation:

The program of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia "For a Fair Economy" adopted in 2019 by the Xth FNPR Congress stipulates long-term objectives of the Federation. They include bringing wages in Russia to the average European level, providing for the decent employment of the able-bodied population, safe working conditions, observation of public social guarantees, decent pensions, higher living standards of workers and their families. Trade unions played a key role in establishing a minimum wage on the entire territory of the Russian Federation at the level of the subsistence minimum of the working age population.

And as readers have discovered, Team Putin is very much attuned to attaining not just a fair economy but a prosperous economy and the basis for Russians to have fulfilling lives—goals that were deemed pipe dreams in 1993 and didn’t become possible until Yeltsin was done.

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