19.02.2008 // Press center of Russian Trade Union of Nuclear Workers

Review of Russian business took place at Kremlin

All-Russian Competition “Russian Organization of High Social Efficiency” has been conducted in Russia every year since 2000. Over 6,000 companies have taken part in it so far. The organizers say that the objective of the competition is to reveal the best companies, the companies that invest money not only in production but also in people, the employers that stake on human capital and provide their employees with high wages and a large package of social benefits.

Traditionally, the results of the competition are announced during an official ceremony in Kremlin Palace in the presence of up to 1,500 representatives of participant companies and organizations.

This year the awarding ceremony was opened by the chairman of the organizing committee, the minister of finance Aleksey Kudrin. He read out the welcoming address of President of Russia Vladimir Putin, gave his assessment of the results of the competition and formulated the key social problems of Russia.

“The competition proves that the success of a company is based on the labor conditions, the life and the career of its individual employee. Those employers who have understood this are not only effectively enlarging their production and enhancing their profitability but are also enjoying public recognition and involvement in long-term state programs,” Kudrin said.

Even despite growing inflation, in 2007 the industrial growth was big enough for ensuring high incomes. Last year the incomes of our population grew by 10.4%, the salary – by 16.2%, the percentage of people living below poverty level dropped to 14.4%, the employment rate – from 6.8% to 5.6%.

Kudrin said that this year the real incomes of the Russian population will grow by 9.4%, investments – by 14%. “This is a conservative forecast. Our key task is to curb inflation.”

Kudrin said that in the competition is evolving: the number of participants and nominations is gradually growing. For example, 2008 is the year of family. So, next time the organizers may introduce a nomination on family.

In three nominations nuclear companies won the second places: Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant in “Personnel Qualification and Training” nomination, Hydropress EDB in “Labor Conditions and Protection” and VNIIEF in “Social Programs” nomination. NIIIS won the third place in “Resource Saving and Ecology” nomination.

Rosenergoatom Concern and Siberian Chemical Plant won the title of “Organization of High Social Efficiency 2007.”

Five nuclear companies won special nominations:

— Instrument Making Plant and Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant in “Development of Medical Care System” nomination

— OKBM in “Sanatorium and Spa Treatment and Recreation” nomination

— VNIITF in “Housing Programs” nomination.

— All of them were granted certificates “Laureate of All-Russian Competition “Russian Organization of High Social Efficiency”.”