Russian tycoon Deripaska pushes for brutal six-day, 12-hour workweeks to save economy
Russian businessman Oleg Deripaska has proposed a major change to working hours in the country. He suggests moving to a six-day workweek, with employees working from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily. According to him, this shift would help Russia tackle current economic challenges more effectively. Deripaska argued that the world is moving away from global opportunities toward more limited regional conditions. He described 2026 as a critical turning point for Russia and other nations. To adapt, he believes rapid restructuring is necessary, and increasing the national workload could speed up these efforts.
He pointed out that Russians have shown resilience in crises, often mobilising and working harder when needed. Human capital, he stressed, remains the most valuable resource in this new reality.
Deripaska has already introduced productivity initiatives at his companies. At Rusal, his 2018 Productivity Leap programme modernised production, cut energy costs by 20%, and boosted efficiency. At Basic Element firms like Russky Aluminium, he launched digital projects since the early 2010s, including AI-driven automation and safety training for staff. The proposal would extend daily working hours by four hours and add an extra workday each week. Deripaska's plan aims to strengthen Russia's economic position by maximising labour resources. His past business reforms suggest a focus on efficiency and rapid adaptation to changing conditions.
