Campaigning Putin woos Russian trade unions

Reuters, 16 February 2000, 07:28:00 ET

MOSCOW, Feb 16 (Reuters)—Acting President Vladimir Putin wooed Russia's trade unions on Wednesday, listening to their complaints of miserably low pay and promising to act on healthcare and corruption.

Putin is runaway favourite for a March 26 presidential election although recent polls have cast doubt on whether he can win in the first round.

His image is that of an energetic leader who can get things done, although he has been criticised for a lack of clear policies. One clear goal has been the destruction of rebels in Chechnya.

“Our general task is to make the economy more effective, to create an economy where people have a chance to work well and to live well,” Putin told an audience of several hundred at the Federation of Independent Trade Unions.

“There should be no doubt that the authorities want the unions to be a powerful and authoritative force in society, a renewed and progressive force,” he added.

The atmosphere at Putin's first encounter with union leaders was warm despite much criticism over poor wages and lack of respect for legislation on workers rights by employers and the state.

The average monthly wage in Russia is $50, although it varies greatly from the big cities to the regions, and millions of people live below the breadline.

Putin has been steadily building contacts with the voters. Last week he held a question and answer session by telephone by with the readers of a popular daily newspaper.

Answering questions at the end of the trade union meeting, he dealt with issues such as healthcare and corruption.

Critics of Russia say corruption is rife at many levels of society, from a small bribe to a traffic policeman to senior government officials.

Putin said the fight against corruption would be strengthened. He absolutely agreed that it had to be stamped out.

“Without a resolution of this problem, there will be no development of the country, I am convinced of this, I am sure. The country will be eaten up from inside,” he said.

He also responded to worries over loopholes in laws which meant workers were penalised financially for taking sick leave.

“I think that this lapse in the law can be solved by a presidential decree. This will be done in the course of a week, in agreement with the leadership of the unions…in the course of a week,” he said.