During the awards ceremony, held at the Government House, Alexander Zhukov said that the companies that won the awards are the best Russian organisations, which have successfully developed due to the efficient work of their employees.

The deputy prime minister stressed that the government considers this contest an opportunity to assess the efficiency and thoughtfulness of human resources policy, to recognise achievements in staff relations, and determine the progress made in improving working conditions and labour protection. According to the deputy prime minister, this contest should promote such work. The deputy prime minister believes that the main factors in developing the country’s labour market are “the companies’ initiatives and creative approaches, rather than amount of resources allocated for different social programmes.”

Twenty companies from 16 Russian regions received awards. The leaders of the contest were companies specialising in refining oil, and producing and shipping gas and oil. Among them were Gazprom Dobycha Astrakhan, Gazprom Dobycha Orenburg, Nizhnekamskneftekhim, LUKOIL-Komi and others. Other winners were the Murmansk Commercial Seaport, the Kaluga Research Institute for Telemetry Devices, the Novosibirsk Metro, and the Pacific National University. Small businesses were also nominated for awards. S-Profit from Stupino, Moscow Region, which sells materials for construction and repairs, won in this category.

The national contest Russian Organisations of High Social Efficiency has been held annually since 2000. Alexander Zhukov said that it will continue to be held every year.