The Hindu : Protest over poor pay

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Oct 18, 2002

International

International

Protest over poor pay

By Vladimir Radyuhin

MOSCOW OCT. 17. One-day protests organised by Russian trade unions across the country on Thursday to demand better pay were overshadowed by calls for the resignation of the President, Vladimir Putin, and the Government.

In Moscow, thousands of protesters formed a human chain stretching about 4 km from Parliament to the government headquarters. Trade unions, which are committed to dialogue with the Government, made sure there were no political demands and for this reason, refused to cooperate with Communists.

However, in some regions protests took a distinctly political colour, targeting Mr. Putin. ``Putin resign,'' angry protesters chanted in Vladivostok in the Far East, blaming him for rising utility prices and low wages and pensions. ``We're worse off today than we were before Putin's presidency,'' an elderly man told the private TVS channel in Vladivostok.

Trade unions say wage arrears, which were the scourge of the Russian economy several years ago, have started rising again, reaching nationwide 34 billion roubles (about $1.1 billion). Unions also demand a halt to a housing reform which calls for Russians to pay the full cost of the house upkeep that has been traditionally borne largely by the state.

The recent economic rebound in Russia due to high oil prices has had little effect on the life of ordinary Russians.

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