Holidays in 2026: All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center Studies Production Calendars of Eight CIS Countries
In the new year, the “eight” countries—Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—citizens of Azerbaijan will enjoy the biggest number of the days off: 124, while Belarusians will have the fewest: 111.
Azerbaijan not only has the most frequent holidays but also the longest celebrations. In 2026, the overlapping Novruz and Ramadan holidays, including transferred days off, will be observed fr om March 20 to 30.
Belarusians are the hardest working in the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center ranking due to their own legislation, which prohibits transferring a day off even if it coincides with a public holiday. The country’s production calendar includes only 111 days off, 10 of which are public holidays. The New Year break in Belarus was also the shortest—from January 1 to 4.
Kazakhstan ranks second in the VTSIOM list for the number of non-working days, with 119 holidays and days off planned. March and May will be the least convenient months for vacations, as the high number of spring holidays and extra days off could significantly impact budgets.
Russia holds a middle position in the All-Russian Public Opinion Research Center “labor days” ranking, with 118 holidays and days off. However, New Year’s holidays in Russia are the longest—12 days. On the positive side, holidays are an opportunity for family bonding. There will be no more than three consecutive days off for the rest of the year, and the next 12-day break for Russians is not expected until 2030.
Kyrgyzstan also started the year with record-long holidays, lasting until January 12. Citizens will enjoy another long break from May 1 to 9. In total, Kyrgyzstanis will have 117 days off. Tajikistan’s production calendar is slightly less generous, with 116 days off. The longest work pause will be for Navruz, with a 10-day non-working period in March.
These eight CIS countries share many common holidays, not just New Year’s Day. On Victory Day, flowers are laid at memorials and “Immortal Regiment” marches are held everywhere except in Tajikistan, wh ere the holiday is not observed. May 1 is celebrated as Spring and Labor Day in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, while in Kazakhstan it is Unity Day. However, National Unity Day or Independence Day are public holidays in all CIS countries.
GCTU News
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Viktor Pinsky: GCTU Should Play a Leading Role in Organizing Trade Union Education in the CIS
Viktor Pinsky, Secretary General of the General Confederation of Trade Unions (GCTU), believes that the GCTU should take a leading role in developing a system for training, retraining, and upgrading the skills of personnel, exchanging experiences, and educating leaders and trade union activists across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
"We already have successful experience in organizing trade union education. This year over 400 people from six countries participated in the GCTU’s first two educational programs. The idea to launch such programs came directly from the requests of our member organizations. Internships are another in-demand format, especially among young people. They provide an opportunity to personally visit international organizations and see their work from the inside," said Viktor Pinsky.
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For trade unions, March 8 is not just a day of spring and renewal.
For trade unions, March 8 is not just a day of spring and renewal.
For trade unions, March 8 is not merely a day of spring and renewal. Above all, it is an opportunity to once again reflect on the role of women in the world of work and in global development as a whole. Today, women perform 55% of the world’s total labor. They work longer hours than men—by 6 to 13 hours per week—and still earn less: on average, women’s wages amount to 66–84% of men’s wages, depending on the country. There is objective evidence that the more a country values women’s labor and the smaller the gender pay gap, the more developed its economy. A special issue is the “invisibility” of women’s domestic and, as experts call it, reproductive labor. This is why trade unions should continue to fight for justice for working women.
I congratulate all women of the CIS, my colleagues in the parliamentary corps, and women in trade unions on International Women’s Day. I wish you justice, decent work, success, and prosperity!
Viktor Pinsky
General Secretary of the General Confederation of Trade Unions, Member of the State Duma
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General Confederation of Trade Unions Proposes Securing Trade Union Rights in Enterprise Bankruptcy
General Confederation of Trade Unions Proposes Securing Trade Union Rights in Enterprise Bankruptcy
The General Confederation of Trade Unions’ (GCTU) proposals are reflected in the draft CIS model law “On Cross-Border Insolvency and Bankruptcy.”
Trade unions must have the right to represent and protect workers’ interests in the bankruptcy of international companies, according to Viktor Pinsky, Member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation and General Secretary of the GCTU.