The Federation of the Republic of Tatarstan Trade Unions has today held the 24th report and election conference in Kazan. Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov and the Russian Federation of Independent Trade Unions chairman Mikhail Shmakov took part in it.The Tatarstan Federation of Trade Unions chairwoman Tatiana Vodopyanova delivered a keynote report, noting the federation was one of the largest trade union associations in Russia and near abroad, including about 900 thousand people. The movement’s younger section has been reinforced, which is pleasing, she said. This year, it has increased 25 percent due to new admissions, totalling 270 thousand, or 36 percent of the total union members.According to her, the concerted effort, aimed to promote civilised relations and group contract regulation, has allowed building an efficient system of protecting labour rights at all the levels of social partnership. Over the past 5 years, the average salary in the republic increased 2.4-fold, its purchasing capacity growing 1.3-fold. The living standard has improved 1.5 times.