A Moscow deputy has requested a recount of janitors in the city following complaints from residents about poor street cleaning and concerns about the upcoming winter season. State Duma Committee on Economic Policy Deputy Chairman Mikhail Delyagin has formally asked Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin to conduct the recount.

The request follows concerns raised by Moscow residents who believe there are either too few janitors or that they are not fulfilling their duties adequately.

However, opinions on the severity of the situation are divided. Lawyer and social activist Ivan Yezhikov claims that a significant portion of janitors listed in housing maintenance offices exist only on paper and do not actually work. He fears the situation will worsen with the arrival of winter, making it impossible for existing workers to clear all the snow in time. He stated that in his yard only one janitor is working, while eight are needed.

Countering this, State Duma Committee on Construction Deputy Chairman Svetlana Razvorotneva suggests that the city is actively addressing the shortage of housing and communal services workers by increasing their base pay and investing in specialized equipment. Razvorotneva believes that unless the winter is unusually snowy, the city will manage. According to her, the occupancy rate is quite high. She also mentioned that the base rate for a janitor is 50 thousand rubles, and they usually take two or three sections, and it turns out to be a normal amount.

Previously, residents have also complained about the use of leaf blowers for removing leaves in yards.