In the Russian Federation, an initiative by oligarchs is being discussed to implement a six-day work week with 12-hour shifts for workers. This move, according to representatives of big business, is intended to be a response to the economic difficulties caused by the global crisis and rising government expenditures.
This is reported by Finway
Business Proposals and Academic Reactions
Oligarch Oleg Deripaska, after a meeting with the President of Russia, called for a transition to an extended work week. The proposal suggests abandoning the eight-hour workday established by the ILO (International Labour Organization) convention, which Russia itself has signed. Thus, workers’ rights in the country could be significantly restricted, highlighting employers’ desire to cut costs and increase their own profits at the expense of labor.
“After a meeting with Putin, Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska proposed that Russians switch to a 12-hour workday six days a week. This innovation completely nullifies all rights and freedoms of Russian workers and civil servants and contradicts the ILO convention that establishes an eight-hour workday, to which Russia is a signatory. In other words, Russian employers view hired workers solely from the perspective of maximizing profit by cutting costs.”
Among the justifications is the thesis about the need for ‘transformation’ of the economy and the limitation of resources, which should be compensated by increased productivity of the population. Deripaska claims that the national characteristic of Russians lies in their ability to work more during difficult times.
Support for this initiative was unexpectedly voiced by Russian academics. Academician Gennady Onishchenko stated that such a schedule is already being applied in some sectors and recommended extending it to the mining and processing industries.
Business Interests, Corruption, and New Restrictions
The meeting of oligarchs with the top leadership of Russia was accompanied by promises to finance the state budget to cover needs related to armed aggression. Suleiman Kerimov promised to contribute 200 billion rubles, Vladimir Potanin – 130 billion, and Oleg Deripaska – 100 billion rubles. The introduction of excessively long working hours is seen as an attempt to compensate for these expenses at the expense of workers.
Against the backdrop of demonstrative ‘patriotism’ from big business, there has been a recorded increase in the level of corruption in Russia. By the end of 2025, the average bribe in the country reached 1 million rubles, and the number of corruption cases rose by 12.4%, exceeding 36,000, of which 60% involved bribery.
Intelligence emphasizes that the Russian elite no longer hides its exploitative intentions towards its own population, which is also reflected in the comments of officials. Andrey Klishas, the head of the Federation Council committee, stated that even after the war against Ukraine ends, the restrictions imposed during the hostilities will remain in place. The authorities will only review them if they lose relevance.
Financial difficulties and declining incomes are forcing many Russians to turn to pawnshops, facing high interest rates, difficulties obtaining bank loans, and other problems.
Illustrative photo