Publication

This edition of the RAD analyses the reaction to the pension reforms announced in Russia earlier this year. Firstly, Martin Brand examines how protests against the reforms forced the government to engage in a public debate on the issue. Secondly, Elena Maltseva outlines how the Russian pension system has been transformed since the 1990s, noting that while there have been distinct periods of reform since then, all have been primarily driven by neoliberal economic advisers to the Russian government. Thirdly, Irina Meyer assesses the role of trade unions in organizing and leading the protests against the proposed reforms, suggesting that such trade union-led protests have little capacity to affect social policy in Russia.