President Putin Meets Trade Unions Leader Shmakov In Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has met Mikhail Shmakov, the leader of the Federation of Independent Trade Unions, according to presidential spokesman Alexei Gromov. The head of state also had a conversation with the forum's delegates during the pause. Altogether 827 delegates representing 43 branch trade-unions, 78 regional trade-unions, along with 800 guests are taking part in the congress. Putin addressed the congress, saying that he hoped a new Labour Code would be adopted till the end of the year, and that trade unions and government authorities will develop their interaction, and also called on the trade unions to "take an active part in the revival of the professional education system".