Russia: AvtoVAZ returns to full-time working

Russia's largest carmaker AvtoVAZ has returned to a full work week for the first time in three months.

The company introduced shortened work weeks in September, having employees work 20 hours per week and paying wages only for the time they worked.

AvtoVAZ has told the Russia Prime-Tass news agency that employees had now returned to full time working.

This follows agreement late last week on a plan to restructure the Russian carmaker's debt, shift some of its labour costs and revive its aging product lineup. A deal with 25% shareholder Renault will enable AvtoVAZ's Togliatti plant to produce 900,000 Lada, Renault and Nissan vehicles annually by 2015.

Renault will contribute EUR240m ($360m) in the form of technology, production equipment and expertise to build new vehicles based on its low-cost Logan plat­form. Renault also will help AvtoVAZ expand its powertrain production capacity and develop an entry-level vehicle.