In Russia, the largest manufacturer of agricultural machinery, the company 'Rostselmash', will operate only three days a week starting in August 2025 due to a critical decline in sales. This was reported by the Center for Counteracting Disinformation.
The situation at the enterprise is a result of a systemic crisis in Russia's industry caused by the war in the East, international sanctions, and a decrease in domestic demand. This has led to even leading players in the industry being on the brink of survival, losing markets and financial support.
The company is forced to cut production and halt investment projects. According to the company's estimates, 2025 will be the worst year in the last decade.
In addition to 'Rostselmash', other large Russian companies are also moving to a reduced work week, including automotive giants 'KAMAZ' and 'AvtoVAZ', the Kirov tractor plant, the Chelyabinsk plant, and others. This allows enterprises to reduce employee salaries by 20-40% in order to save funds.
The Russian authorities are trying to present this as a 'modern work format', referring to global trends of a four-day work week. However, this is merely a consequence of the depletion of the Russian economy due to the war against Ukraine.
In light of the crisis in Russia's industry, large enterprises such as 'Rostselmash' are forced to cut production and reduce employee salaries to survive tough economic times. The authorities are trying to emphasize this as an adaptation to new conditions, but the real reason lies in the negative impact of the war and sanctions on the Russian economy.