Confrontation

The Minister of Labor organized a meeting with trade union leaders

The upcoming wage reform became the subject of heated debate between the government and trade unions yesterday. The United Russia party confronted Labor Minister Alexander Pochinok and trade union leaders. According to the initiators of the negotiations, the State Duma will insist on considering only the agreed version of the reform of the wage system, which is expected to be carried out after October 1 of this year.

The deputies themselves, as they admit, find the arguments of both sides quite convincing. “I listened to your speeches, you all speak very convincingly,” Oleg Morozov, a member of the General Council of United Russia, told Mr. Pochinok. - But if everything is so convincing, then why are trade unions, teachers, doctors, many deputies all against it? Either we don't understand you, or the other side is right. Let's figure it out."

Alexander Pochinok said that over the past month the concept of reform has changed significantly. Previously, the government intended to guarantee only the minimum wage, shifting to the regions the right to set employee salaries depending on local financial capabilities. At the request of trade unions, the bill now includes a state guarantee for all official salaries. Regions have the right only to exceed the salary plan by increasing the figures proposed by the federal center. “It is guaranteed that not a single person will experience a reduction in their nominal wages,” the minister repeated once again. The norms of the Labor Code, according to which wages should grow faster than inflation, will also be preserved. Alexander Pochinok admitted that the salaries of state employees “in absolute terms are very small, and millions of them have incomes below the subsistence level.” However, in the current unified tariff schedule (UTS) “there is no longer room for surcharges or surcharges: it will simply burst,” Mr. Pochinok emphasized.

But trade union leaders, who have already achieved significant concessions from the Ministry of Labor, do not seem to be going to reduce the list of their demands. Therefore, yesterday the debate flared up again over the size of the salary increase for public sector employees. The government bill provides for an increase in salaries by an average of 33%. Trade unions are convinced that this is not enough. “Nominal wages may rise, but real wages will not cover the inflation rate of 2002-2003,” noted Mikhail Shmakov, leader of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia. “Public sector employees’ salaries have not been indexed since 2001,” recalled Galina Merkulova, deputy chairman of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers. Trade unions insist on a two-fold increase in rates, but Mr. Pochinok once again recalled that he does not have the authority to revise the budget. The mechanism for recording scientific degrees, length of service and honorary titles in the new system also seemed unclear to opponents.

As the discussion progressed, tension in the air began to grow, and 30-40 minutes after the start of the meeting, the leaders of United Russia asked the journalists to leave and remained to talk with Mr. Pochinok in private, explaining that the debate would now be even tougher.

Kirill VASILENKO