A recent proposal to end the six-day working week before the New Year could place additional pressure on the economy. A member of the State Duma committee on labor, social policy and veterans affairs warned that while rest time should be taken into account, adding new requirements risks higher production costs and, consequently, higher prices for consumers. The current practice already blends work and rest in a way that accommodates seasonal demand, with rules for holiday pay and overtime when necessary. Adjusting the schedule at such a sensitive time could ripple through production cycles and distribution, offsetting any social benefits. In that context, the balance achieved today was described as appropriate, and calls for sweeping changes were viewed as biased by some lawmakers. Small and medium enterprises often bear the brunt of scheduling shifts, since they rely on predictable demand and stable workforce attendance during the winter sales period.
Backers of a stable work-rest balance point to how weekends and holidays are arranged to help Russians spend time with family and to travel. The government holds tools to adjust the balance when needed, including times when longer work periods are essential and other times when longer rest periods are preferable. They argue that the current framework already supports being with children, caring for elderly relatives, and maybe visiting family in distant locations. Strengthening domestic tourism is cited as a possible outcome of stable and predictable scheduling, enabling people to explore regions without sacrificing productivity. The debate centers on whether small shifts could boost social well-being without harming economic resilience, and on how regional differences and industry needs shape policy choices.
On November 12, a deputy urged cancelling the six-day week before the New Year and designating December 28 as a day off, aiming to give domestic tourism a new push. The production calendar has since shifted so that the off day on December 28 is moved to December 30, creating a longer holiday window. This adjustment means Russians can enjoy an 11-day break from December 29 to January 8, with December 31 added as a holiday by moving the date from January 7. The topic also touches on workers’ reasons for missing time and how authorities weigh those considerations against national economic priorities. The broader question remains how the seasonal holiday calendar can best support family life while maintaining stable economic activity.