Vladislav Grib proposes permanent December 31 day off in Russia

Russian Civic Chamber deputy secretary Vladislav Grib has proposed making December 31 an officially established day off. He also called for double pay at workplaces that need to keep operating.

In remarks published by RIA Novosti on October 11, Grib cited New Year preparations, greetings and travel as reasons for the proposal. He said many organisations already operate on a reduced basis on the year’s final day, arguing that a day off would have limited impact on productivity.

He noted that security, healthcare and public safety services continue working through holidays. His double-pay proposal concerns workplaces where operations must continue.

December 31, 2026 is already a day off because the rest day from Sunday, January 4 has been moved to that date. That arrangement is a calendar transfer for a particular year. Grib’s proposal would establish the date as a permanent day off, but the report does not announce an adopted decision.