The State Duma of the Russian Federation: new norms of the Constitution and "distance form"

State Council of the Russian Federation

The State Duma of Russia adopted law-in-draft on State Council of the Russian Federation in the second reading. The document defines the status of the State Council as a constitutional state body, specifies the tasks, functions and principles of its activity. The initiative was introduced by the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin in pursuance of the amendments to the Constitution.

The State Council of the Russian Federation will not have the authority to introduce laws to parliament, but it will be able to conduct an examination of draft laws and determine the need for correction. One of the most important tasks of the new constitutional body, which, in addition to the governors, will include the prime minister and speakers of both chambers of Parliament, will be to ensure interaction between federal and regional authorities.

The State Council has been functioning under the President of the Russian Federation for over 20 years. All these years, the State Council has worked on the basis of a special Regulation. The President of Russia is the Chairman of the State Council.

"Distance form" - into legislation

The State Duma of Russia will consider the issue of amending the Labor Code in terms of regulating remote work in the second reading on November 25. Taking into consideration the massive transition of employees to telecommuting, the law is designed to protect the rights of employees, while preserving the interests of entrepreneurs.

The amendments provide that it will be possible to temporarily transfer employees to teleworking without their written consent, but only in exceptional cases, such as an epidemic or fire. If the employee and the employer do not have the opportunity to organize remote work, this will be considered idle time through no fault of the parties, which, in accordance with the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, is paid as 2/3 of the tariff rate.

On November 26, the State Duma should consider the amendments to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation in the third reading, and from January 1, 2021, the amendments "on remote control" may come into force.