Russia's Government, Trade Unions, Employers Ink General Agreement

On Thursday the Russian government, trade unions and employers concluded a general agreement at the Government House in Moscow. The agreement is signed for three years and its 160 articles cover all aspects of social partnership, solution of labour disputes, payment for and conditions of work, social benefits. Taking the floor a the signing ceremony, government chairman Mikhail Kasyanov said that "interaction between the three sides of labour relations, which has become deeper rooted in recent time, is a factor for the consolidation of society and making it more balanced". The signing ceremony was also attended by Vice-Premier Valentina Matvienko, Independent Trade Unions Federation chief Mikhail Shmakov and Labour and Social Development Minister Alexander Pochinok.