Russia's Ministry of Labor plans to revise the list of professions prohibited for women in 2026. Specialties related to operating heavy machinery in the mining industry, such as excavator and loading machine operators, will be removed from the list. This decision aims to ensure equal opportunities in the labor market and attract qualified personnel regardless of gender. The change could impact the workforce composition in the mining equipment and machinery operator sector, potentially expanding the pool of available workers for industry companies. The news was announced on March 4, 2026, by RUDN University expert Tatiana Ushkats.
