[Summary translation prepared by Business and Human Rights Resource Centre]

In Russia employees of Wildberries striking due to fines and write-offs from salaries, 15 March 2023

In the Far East, Siberia, Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg and Moscow, workers of Wildberries marketplace went on strike. Dozens of distribution points are closed. Notices were hung on the doors stating that the point does not work until the salary is paid. Employees are protesting the new marketplace penalty system, according to which employees of Wildberries pick-up points are now collectively liable if a customer returns a damaged product. The money is going to be taken from the daily salary. Some workers were charged 100 percent of their wages against fines. Marketplace employees say that the fine is often ten times higher than the salary.

It is impossible to prove non-involvement in the damage of goods, clarifies Sibir.Realii. Those who are fined are forced to work for free until they cover the fine. Heads were banned from notifying managers in advance about upcoming changes, as this would threaten with mass strikes...

In Moscow, the owners of the company's capital pick-up points gathered near the Wildberries headquarters, dissatisfied with the working conditions. The police was also present. After that, representatives of the marketplace agreed to hold an online meeting with the protesters. During the meeting the Wildberries employee once again spoke about the changes and 100 percent fines for returned goods.

Customers who were unable to receive their packages due to the strike are complaining to the police and the prosecutor's office. The Prosecutor General's Office of Russia instructed to check reports of violations of the rights of Wildberries' workers. Representatives of Wildberries have not yet commented on the strike of employees...