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FNPR Newsletter.September 30, 2025

30.10.2025

September 30, 2025

Dear colleagues,

We are sending you yet another newsletter on the main aspects of the socio-political and socio-economic situation in Russia, on the policy of the Russian Federation in the current international environment, on the FNPR position and its activities for the protection of legal rights and interests of workers.

The social and labour situation in Russia is generally stable, though economic dynamics has slowed down: the country's GDP grew by 1.1% in the first half of 2025. From the Prime Minister's perspective, the slowdown in economic growth is a normal phenomenon indicating moderate cooling down after high growth rates during 2023-2024. Moreover, the government and experts close to it see this as a positive aspect: they believe that cooling of economy helps to contain inflation.

The FNPR and its member organisations do not agree with this approach. Trade unions believe that cooling the economy down creates significant risks for workers: it prevents the creation of new jobs, leads to wage stagnation, production downtime, wage arrears and growth of unemployment. In order to neutralize negative trends and revive economic activity, the FNPR urges the Central Bank of Russia to pursue a more balanced policy and, in particular, to opt out of raising the interest rate which currently remains at 17% per annum.

In August, the Russian Ministry of Labour announced the government’s intention to raise the Federal minimum wage by 20.7% next year, to 27,093 rubles (approx. US$322.5). It is worth noting that Russian regions have the right under their legislation to establish their own minimum wage level above the federal one, and 22 regions are currently exercising this right. In response to this, the FNPR Chairman Sergei Chernogaev said that although the trade unions welcome the upcoming increase in the minimum wage, that is not enough. According to trade union experts, the minimum consumer budget providing a decent life for one person is currently 52 thousand rubles (approx. US$619). Thus, even with the planned increase, the minimum wage still lags significantly behind the living wage level.

According to the latest polls, people's confidence in the country’s leadership remains high. A nationwide poll by the Public Opinion Foundation held on September 19-21 revealed that 81% of respondents trust President Putin, and 82% of respondents positively rate his activities as head of state. This is facilitated by the President's intense activity as the Commander-in-chief of the armed forces during the special military operation, his active participation in internal affairs, as well as successful activities on the foreign policy track.

A great resonance was caused by a summit meeting between presidents of the United States and Russia held on August 15, 2025 in Alaska. Particularly worth mentioning is the participation of a large Russian state delegation headed by Vladimir Putin in a regular SCO summit in Tianjin (China), and in memorial events marking the 80^th anniversary of victory over militarist Japan and the end of World War II, held on September 3 in Beijing.

The foreign policy steps taken by Russia at various international venues are aimed at establishing peace, reducing tensions and increasing security with due regard for the interests of our State.

As for the ongoing work, according to the latest figures, the FNPR unites a total of 19 million workers. Of these, 96.3% are covered by collective agreements concluded by trade unions at different levels.

Labour lawyers working in the FNPR member organisations keep under constant control the observance of trade union members' rights. For example, during 2024 legal inspectors conducted over 36 thousand checks as a result of which more than 12,000 claims to eliminate the exposed violations were made. 90% of claims were met at the pre-trial level. As regards legal actions filed by trade unions in 2024for the violation of workers' rights, 90% of claims were upheld by the courts. In particular, 142 illegally dismissed workers were reinstated in their jobs.

On 19 September, the FNPR and its member organisations officially celebrated two important historical dates: the 120th anniversary of the trade union movement in Russia and the 35th anniversary of the FNPR. Representatives of the country’s leadership, a number of ministries and agencies, the employers' association in their capacity as social partners took part in the celebrations and confirmed their willingness to continue the meaningful social dialogue.

We take this opportunity to thank all friendly trade union organisations that have sent us their fraternal greetings in this regard.

At the end of July, an FNPR delegation attended the Labour 20 (L20) Summit in South Africa. Speaking at the summit in discussing geopolitical challenges, the need for a strengthened multilateralism and the role of G20, the FNPR Secretary Alexey Zharkov noted in particular that trade unions, as the most representative workers' associations around the world, can and should make a significant contribution to promoting social justice and decent work as the fundamental socio-economic principles of an emerging multipolar world.

The special military operation conducted by Russia to protect the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine and aimed at final liberation of the regions which, by their own sovereign decision, seceded from Ukraine after the coup of 2014 and joined the Russian Federation through referendums, remains an important factor influencing the lives of Russian workers. At the same time, the Russian side has repeatedly expressed and confirmed its readiness for a peaceful settlement, including during the meeting of Russian and U.S. presidents in Alaska.

President Putin has repeatedly stated that, in his view, it is possible to find a peaceful solution agreeable to all parties concerned. Today, however, Russia’s readiness for a peaceful settlement is confronted with a blatant unwillingness of Kiev authorities to negotiate, as well as overt hostility from Ukraine's European donors and contradictory, inconsistent actions by the United States. Even so, the Russian leadership, with the support of the overwhelming majority of workers and trade unions in this country, persists to seek a just and lasting peace settlement.