In a detailed discussion with Artur Vartanyan, the organizer behind a newly formed workers’ union tied to the Russian Union of Trade Unions, new reports emerged about ongoing worker action within Wildberries. The statements indicate that employees across multiple Russian regions are preparing a collective legal action aimed at challenging certain shifts in how work arrangements are classified. The core claim concerns converting civil contracts into formal employment agreements, a move that could significantly affect worker protections, benefits, and labor rights under current Russian employment law. Observers suggest this potential suit may advance to the courtroom in the near term, signaling a high-stakes dispute over the nature of worker status in the rapidly expanding e-commerce sector. This situation has drawn attention from labor advocates and industry analysts as a test case for how gig-like roles are treated in large-scale online marketplaces.
Vartanyan’s remarks describe a broader strategy that targets the contractual framework used by Wildberries. By arguing that civil contracts are effectively being used to bypass the obligations that accompany traditional employment, the organizers aim to restore clearer labor relationships and ensure that workers receive standard employment protections, including access to social benefits and job security. The potential implications extend beyond isolated regional disputes, raising questions about consistency in contractor classifications across the company and similar platforms. Commentators note that if the case succeeds, it could prompt broader reviews of how independent contractors are treated within major e-commerce networks, potentially shaping policy discussions and corporate practices in Canada, the United States, and beyond.
March witnessed a concurrent wave of employee action at Wildberries points of operation, with collection sites (POIs) experiencing strikes in response to a new fines system imposed by marketplace management. The protests involved a large portion of the specialized outlets responsible for order fulfillment and processing, leading to significant reductions in activity across several facilities nationwide. Local authorities stepped in to facilitate dialogue between the management team and striking workers, arranging a convening that brought disputed issues to the table for discussion. The unfolding events reflect mounting tensions around incentive structures, performance metrics, and the speed at which penalties can be applied within high-volume, fast-moving retail environments. Stakeholders continue to monitor developments as workers seek clearer terms of employment and greater stability in their daily roles, while management weighs the operational and reputational costs of ongoing disruptions and policy changes.