Competition>> Labour • Russia
It seems like a throwback to the Soviet era. Russian president Vladimir Putin has announced a competition to find Russia’s best workers.
Putin told a cabinet meeting that there would be cash prizes for the winning welder, stone mason, electrician, miner and lorry driver. Russia’s Ministry of Health and Social Development has already started selecting regional candidates through employers and trade unions.
In the Soviet Union, the best workers got cash bonuses and had their achievements trumpeted on honours boards. The most famous of them was miner Alexei Stakhanov, who set a record for coal extraction in 1935. In Putin’s version, the winner in each category will win $4,000, and prizes for first and second runners up will be $2,800 and $1,200, respectively.
We are a voice to you; you have been a support to us. Together we build journalism that is independent, credible and fearless. You can further help us by making a donation. This will mean a lot for our ability to bring you news, perspectives and analysis from the ground so that we can make change together.
Comments are moderated and will be published only after the site moderator’s approval. Please use a genuine email ID and provide your name. Selected comments may also be used in the ‘Letters’ section of the Down To Earth print edition.