The President promises to deal with cases of law enforcement interference in the activities of trade unions

July 21, 2011 at a meeting of the President of the Russian Federation with representatives trade unions head of the Confederation of Labor of Russia Boris Kravchenko drew attention of the head of state to the fact that trade union actions are often "equated to extremist and anti-state activities." Such cases, according to he said, took place in the Leningrad region, Moscow, Tver and other regions. Kravchenko asked Dmitry Medvedev "to instruct the Ministry of Internal Affairs about non-interference in the legitimate activities of trade unions".

In response, the President stated that the use of law enforcement agencies to influence on trade union organizations is unacceptable. "Neither the Ministry of Internal Affairs, nor the prosecutor's office, no other structures are adapted for this, no instructions to anyone for this the topic was not given ... Everyone must abide by the law, but if behind a screen compliance with the law, in fact, is hiding the protection of the interests of employers - and such I can imagine - this is unacceptable, it requires verification from the outside prosecutor's office," the president said.

Trade union leaders presented Medvedev with documents evidencing facts of interference in the activities of trade unions, the president promised to transfer them the Attorney General and the Minister of the Interior for verification.

Sources

• Medvedev: the use of security forces to influence trade unions is unacceptable // RAPSI. 2011. July 21.