2013 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - Russia
| Publisher | International Trade Union Confederation |
| Publication Date | 6 June 2013 |
| Cite as | International Trade Union Confederation, 2013 Annual Survey of Violations of Trade Union Rights - Russia, 6 June 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51b8515a16.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Anti-union discrimination: Bashneft, one of the largest oil companies in Russia, threatened workers who intended to join unions with dismissal. This led to hundreds of workers leaving the Russian Chemical and Allied Workers' Union (RCWU).
Mr. Morozov and Mr. Kolegov, two trade union leaders employed at Heineken Joint Breweries were dismissed for protesting against contract and agency labour. The Prosecutor's Office deemed their dismissal unlawful and ordered management to reinstate them.
Refusal to bargain in good faith: The Benteler Company refused to bargain with the ITUA when the union refused to sign a non-disclosure agreement which would have prevented it from informing its members about the bargaining process.
Bashneft systematically refused to engage in collective bargaining with the RCWU. As a result of a solidarity campaign management recognised the union on 5 March 2013.
Acts of interference by employers: Benteler offered a significant premium payment to workers who had not participated in strikes.
Violence against union leaders: Valentin Urusov, a miner and a trade union leader from Yakutia in Russia's north-eastern territory was arrested under the pretext that he was dealing in drugs. He was tortured and then sentenced to six years imprisonment. He was released in March 2013.
Interference in trade union administration: On 20 March 2013, the Prosecutor visited the headquarters of the Interregional Trade Union of Autoworkers (ITUA) in Saint Petersburg asking for a full list of ITUA activities in 2011 to 2013, a list of all ITUA members, various financial documents, publications, and bank account listings.
Inference in trade union activities: In January 2013, the Prosecutor declared that the ban on public activities at the Peugeot-Citroen plant was illegal. Management had prohibited the ITUA from distributing union leaflets among workers leaving the plant after their shift. Security guards physically attacked them and detained them in the parking lot.
