PVZ Strikes and the Wildberries Controversy: A Fact-Based Overview for North American Readers

On March 15, dozens of Blueberry distribution points across the Urals, Irkutsk, Bratsk, Angarsk, Chita, the Trans-Baikal Territory, Buryatia, Vladivostok, and Blagoveshchensk halted operations. The action was organized by Wildberries partners through a nationwide MEGA Riot chat that gathered more than 11,000 marketplace pickup-point employees. On March 14, owners of distribution points in Moscow reportedly began a strike.

Why are PVZs on strike?

The strike is a response to new fines introduced by Wildberries management. The policy states that if a buyer returns an item for reasons like defect or incorrect item, the outlet workers would be charged the full cost of the item. The company characterized the change as the outcome of an internal algorithm study in which PVZ staff were deemed responsible in 98% of cases [citation].

PVZ workers described the policy as shocking, explaining that items could be misrouted or stolen at various points in the supply chain, from warehouses to carriers, or sorting centers. They questioned the rationale behind assigning blame to employees who may not have control over the fault.

According to the new rules, the debt cannot be appealed, and penalties could block employees from withdrawing wages. The deduction process reportedly began on March 9.

Participants demand that the marketplace cancel all debts related to misdelivery or substitutions, provide a pathway to appeal deductions, and roll back penalties to the prior level of 25% for misdelivery and substitutions. A manager of a Yekaterinburg PVZ noted that the goal is to preserve labor relations, while an outlet employee in the Smolensk region explained that distribution points are not closed, only temporarily halting orders.

Another worker argued that the company illegally withheld wages due to disputed substitutions and defective goods. He emphasized that this situation is not about a strike, but about fulfilling employment obligations as written in the contract. A Mash Telegram channel post quoted an employee saying that after wage penalties, nothing remained, and most workers had limited direct contact with authorities, relying mainly on written communication.

How did the March 15 strike unfold?

Across Russia, owners of special collection points aligned with Wildberries on a franchise basis showed support. The e1.ru portal reported participation from at least three distribution points in Yekaterinburg. In Vladivostok, several outlets remained closed on specific streets and avenues. In Irkutsk, 25 distribution points paused operations, with reports of about 20 more in the surrounding Irkutsk region including Angarsk, Bratsk, and Ust-Ilimsk.

Additionally, more than 20 points in Cheetah, Buryatia, and the Trans-Baikal Territory joined the action. Central Russia saw fewer closures, including Moscow, where organizers warned of potential fines for delays. A PVZ worker commented that delayed openings could carry hefty penalties, while noting that some outlets faced less immediate risk if they did not resume normal operations right away.

Observers who followed the protest argued that intimidation appeared to blunt the impact. Kommersant reported that Wildberries denied any coordinated strike and noted that 15 collection points across the country were down for varied reasons.

Wildberries responds to strikers

Rise cited statements from the market’s press office indicating that the distribution network did not comply with the demands of the owners. Company representatives asserted that salaries were paid daily, there were no wage restrictions, and maintaining the current approach could significantly reduce customer service levels if all points were kept open. They claimed many outlets closed due to threats and began transferring goods to the marketplace and to seller-entrepreneurs.

Wildberries stated that cooperation with partners who use uncivilized dialogue or threaten company staff would be suspended for security reasons. Telegram channels reported confrontations near Moscow, including cases where couriers were prevented from collecting goods at points in Noginsk and Khimki after the company allegedly ordered seizures. A local owner in Noginsk reportedly warned authorities to intervene, while a similar incident occurred in Khimki.

Some reports claimed that workers who participated in the strike could face dismissal and account suspensions for criticizing the company. Observers noted rapid turnover among employees in several regions, including Kemerovo, with warnings that accounts would be shut within hours and contracts terminated for noncompliance.

Legislative changes

Amid the strike, a meeting was held in the State Duma on March 15, with invitations extended to representatives of order posts and Wildberries. The company did not attend the meeting, according to Dmitry Gusev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Control Committee. Some reports indicated that executives canceled calls shortly before the session, then reestablished contact just before the meeting, stating they would not attend. The meeting did see participation from distribution-point owners, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the State Duma Committees for Control and for Competition Protection.

The session concluded with lawmakers promising to consider a bill that would bar unilateral changes to contractual terms by companies. Gusev noted that Wildberries representatives awaited further discussion in the State Duma. A follow-up meeting was planned for March 21 at the Federal Antimonopoly Service to review the strike, with the State Duma signaling an intention to form a collective association for market workers similar to a union.

Officials emphasized that many participants earn modest incomes, typically around 20,000 to 30,000 rubles per month, which could be vulnerable to loss if the wage deductions persisted. Reporters from Telegram channels described further meetings and forwarded requests to Wildberries for responses by March 17. Earlier, the Moscow Region prosecutor’s office opened an inquiry into potential illegal wage deductions affecting PVZ employees. Wildberries is identified as the largest online retailer in Russia, operating through an extensive network of distribution points, including many partner locations.