The head of the economic Committee of the Federation Council Andrey Kutepov has developed a draft law on the reduction of the Christmas holidays in 2021 to the period from January 1 to January 3. This can be done “in order to compensate for the number of forced days off to support the economy of enterprises and organizations” in the background of the pandemic coronavirus COVID-19. The document is sent for review to the Ministry of labour and social policy. In the Duma faction “United Russia” has opposed this proposal.”It is proposed to reduce, in 2021, the period of the Christmas holidays and to make the working week from 4 to 8 January, with the exception of 7 January”,— the document says (quoted by “RIA Novosti”). Specifies that the changes will be applied only in 2021. Mr. Kutepov said that since the end of March, many employees transferred to part-time or on a different schedule, but employers still had to pay them a salary. However, some enterprises did not resume after the may holidays.In the explanatory Memorandum Andrey Kutepov explains his initiative by the fact that the number of working days in 2020, 20% more than expected because of the pandemic coronavirus and because of the extra output declared in connection with the Victory parade and a vote on amendments to the Constitution. According to the factory calendar for the year 2020, working days it should be 247, and the output 118 (including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). Considering the holidays, introduced by President Vladimir Putin, the number of working days it will be 218 against 147 hours.The state Duma has responded to the proposal to reduce the new year holidays in 2021. “Calendar of public holidays in Russia are well established, it is the result of certain compromises and new year holidays have already been cut by two days,” said TASS Deputy head of the Duma faction “United Russia” Andrei Isayev. According to him, to modify it for one year is impractical.We will remind, on June 24, Russia declared a non-working day in connection with the Victory day parade, which was held on may 9 because of a pandemic (in a number of cities withdrew from the event). 1 July will also be output in connection with the holding of a nationwide vote on amendments to the Constitution.Read more about appointment of date of voting — in the material “Kommersant” “popraviti”.
