Russian Minister: Bolshoi Theatre violates Anastasia Volochkova's rights

The Russian Labour Ministry does not intend to interfere with the situation concerning the expulsion of famous ballet-dancer Anastasia Volochkova from the Bolshoi Theatre. However, we ask all employers to avoid violating the labour legislation, Labour Minister Aleksander Pochinok disclosed on Wednesday.

Pochinok believes, the rights of a specific employee have been violated in Volochkova's case. "It is impermissible to fire a person without a preliminary notification. It is also impermissible to fire a person long after the contract expiration and to give unclear reasons for sacking," Pochinok said.

The Bolshoi Theatre administration gave sack to Volochkova on September 16th. The main cause of the disagreement was Volochokova's unwillingness to sign a contract, which stipulated her work with the Bolshoi Theatre only until December 31st of the current year instead of the whole year.