#14
BBC Monitoring
Russian president says workers' prosperity depends on
economic growth
Source: Russia TV, Moscow, in Russian 0800 gmt 28 Nov 01
[Presenter] The work of the 4th Congress of Russian Trade Unions commenced at 1000 [0700 gmt] in Moscow. It was organized by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia. Over 800 delegates from all over the country have gathered for the forum. President Vladimir Putin attended the opening ceremony of the congress.
[Passage omitted: correspondent sets scene.]
[Putin] In our country's history, we went through a period of mass state involvement. That period is now in the past. Today we have a different goal: to offer each and every citizen equal opportunities to improve his or her lifestyle, to create all the right conditions for people to work honestly and to receive a decent wage. And, of course, in the final analysis only economic growth can provide the source for the social well-being of all.
[Correspondent] But for that economic growth to take place, social partnership is necessary and here - Putin said - the trade unions can play a major role. The trade unions since October 1998 have not conducted any mass protest actions.
[Passage omitted: correspondent recalls Yeltsin-era strikes.]
Putin also called on trade unions to work more vigorously in the small business sector because that sector in the near future will receive great attention from the president, his administration and the government. Putin also urged the trade unions to use their research and scientific capacity to assess the processes of labour migration that are under way. Putin meant that in recent years many people have been coming to Russia from former Soviet republics and elsewhere to work. Those processes up to now have remained unstudied and Putin believes that the trade unions have a big role to play. Putin thanked the trade unions for the constructive role they played in seeing the Labour Code law passed.
[Passage omitted: history of passing of Labour Code, references to trade union history.]
[Putin] In my short opening speech, I have not said anything revolutionary. But I would like to stress that I very much count on the Russian trade unions affording real assistance in accomplishing the all-national strategic tasks which Russia faces today.