Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska has come forward with a radical initiative: to overcome the “heavy transformation” of the Russian economy, citizens should switch to a 12-hour workday (from 08:00 to 20:00) and introduce a six-day work week (including Saturdays). According to the businessman, labor enthusiasm is the only remaining resource the country has in the face of a global crisis.
Deripaska’s Main Arguments:
- Labor Mobilization: Deripaska believes that only working beyond standard limits will accelerate adaptation to the “new world” that emerged in 2026.
- Criticism of Authorities: The billionaire once again slammed the Central Bank for its tight monetary policy and the “futile strengthening of the ruble,” while also mentioning the “destruction of legal institutions by security forces,” which he claims demolished the foundation for investment.
- Depth of the Crisis: He argues this is not a typical cyclical downturn but a fundamental breakdown of the global system, exacerbated by Middle East conflicts.
Analytical Summary:
Deripaska’s proposal is a tacit admission that market mechanisms in Russia have finally ceased to function, leaving the extensive exploitation of human resources as the only way to support GDP.
Capitulation to Reality: Hearing one of the country’s top oligarchs speak of the “destruction of legal institutions by security forces” is an open confirmation that business in Russia is no longer protected by law. Investments—both domestic and foreign—have hit zero, and Deripaska now suggests compensating for the lack of capital and technology with the “sweat and blood” of the workers.
Economic Anachronism: Moving to a 72-hour work week (instead of the standard 40) is an attempt to drag the economy back to the industrial era of the early 20th century. However, in a modern technological economy, labor productivity depends not on hours spent at a machine, but on access to chips, software, and advanced equipment—all of which are currently under sanctions.
Finding a Scapegoat: Deripaska skillfully shifts the blame: it’s the “Central Bank macroeconomists” with their interest rates and the “security forces” (siloviki) who broke the courts. Yet, according to the billionaire’s logic, ordinary Russians must pay for these mistakes by sacrificing their weekends and personal time. This is a symptom that the elites see no way out of this “transformation” other than turning the country into a massive labor camp.