The Avanti Association for the Promotion of Business Patriotism approached Anton Kotyakov, the head of the Ministry of Labor, with a proposal to implement a six-day working week in the country, presenting it to the public through news channels.
Proponents argue that anti-Russian sanctions have amplified burdens on the economy and limited sustainable growth, which did not resume at pre-2014 levels. They point to the need for clear government and Central Bank actions that could help the financial and economic system attract additional investments while withstanding external pressure.
According to Avanti representatives, adopting a six-day work period could aid in achieving the goals set by President Vladimir Putin for 2023. These goals include technological and industrial breakthroughs, reduced reliance on foreign technologies and financial institutions, and enhanced overall economic sovereignty.
Entrepreneurs also note that several Asian countries operate with six-day work cycles, while a 48-hour work week exists in Belgium and Turkey. They cite examples of a seven-day framework in wartime periods as historical context, noting that the postwar period saw a gradual reduction to the standard five-day, eight-hour work week by 1967.
Elena Tsunaeva, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Labor, Social Policy and Veterans Affairs, suggested in a media interview that a six-day week is no longer necessary in Russia. She emphasized that any proposal should be carefully calculated and publicly supported, highlighting that unions and workers have long advocated a five-day work week to ensure family responsibilities and personal business needs are met. She noted that production often requires uninterrupted work, which must be balanced with legal standards.
Tsunaeva argued that labor-relations restructuring should avoid nationalistic rhetoric and remain compliant with the law, while acknowledging ongoing state and citizen efforts to support the economy. She stated that there is no urgent demand for a six-day week, and that patriotism should be expressed through responsible work and adherence to workers’ rights, including shifts, benefits, and compensation where economically necessary.
Svetlana Bessarab, a fellow member of the Duma committee, told reporters that moving to a six-day period as proposed by Avanti is currently not feasible. She said that many changes since the Great Patriotic War era have transformed the country, with modern industry largely geared toward civilian production and state support maintaining essential operations. The private sector now represents a substantial share of the economy, and the proposed shift would not align with current priorities surrounding the national operation.
Alexander Shershukov, vice-president of a major trade union federation, noted that businesses retain the legal right to initiate a six-day work week, but doing so requires consent from the workforce and could entail higher overtime pay. He explained that overtime might sometimes be compensated with extra rest days, and that mandatory inclusion of employees in overtime would occur only in situations described by labor law, such as emergencies or other legally defined scenarios.