Putin offers $1,000 to halt brain drain from Russia

Gulf Daily News ^ | 2 January 2006

[Odyssey-x]

A good measure of a society is how it treats its talented citizens who are without political or family connections.

[x5452]

1000/yr isn't exactly a show of force.

[jdm]

"So, thanks to Putin, his salary will rise over the next four years ... by $200."

Don't spoil him, Putin. [\sarcasm] Hey, you got me a football? And it's two colors! Look! [ Urghhh ]\

[jb6]

That's $1,000 in a country where the average salary is $380. Remember, it's not the amount of dollars its what those dollars will buy you. A loaf of good quality bread costs around 30 American cents.

[jb6]

That's $1,000 in a country where the average salary is $380. Remember, it's not the amount of dollars its what those dollars will buy you. A loaf of good quality bread costs around 30 American cents.

[jb6]

Or in other words, $1,000 would be sorta like making $96842 in the US, if accepting that the average US salary is $36,800.

[kingu]

Umm, Putin? How about sticking that $200 into cutting down the culture of corruption and violence that is chasing away more people from the nation than simple economics. Much better method of attracting foreign investment and those same employers who would much rather hire the scientists in Russia than pay for them to move into a new country, pay them a much higher salary and the person in question not rising all that much further higher in economic status?

[jb6]

Tech companies in Russia have a 14% corporate rate. They've also cut VAT and Payroll taxes and income taxes are at 13% flat. They've also cut the size of government.

[redheadtoo]

A loaf of good quality bread costs around 30 American cents.

Is that a government controlled or supplemented price? Can a scientist buy a house or a car with that salary? Can he afford a computer?

I have a car and a computer despite my low paying job. I can also afford all the bread I can stuff in my face even though it costs me about 3 dollars a loaf.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

A higher salary doesn't mean a lot if it only makes you more of a target for your family members to be kidnapped for ransom by the mob.

[jb6]

Yes, he can afford a car and a house, especially since most of these scientists do not live in Moscow and live in places where the salaries are much lower and so is the cost of living. Ford produces $8,000 Focuses in Russia and financing is available. There are a bunch of local and other foreign manufacturers in Russia too.

[kingu]

A higher salary doesn't mean a lot if it only makes you more of a target for your family members to be kidnapped for ransom by the mob.

Exactly. Getting home with that increased paycheck is generally a goal that anyone expects. A Russian friend once confided...

New government, old government. I still have to deal with the same thugs. The only difference is that we now have capitalism. They're self employed thugs with guns.

[lone star annie]

Hey did you see Yitzak Smirnoff?

No but I heard Vladimir Putin!!

Break out a Matchski

[x5452]

Heh, I've been there, and love the prices (I lived like a king for a month in rural Russia spending only about 1000 dollars).

My programmer friend there makes about 250 a month. (It's all contract work though so it's sporadic).

I don't think 1000/month will stop young unmarried folks from leaving Russia if they are given the oppurtunity, though it may make some stop actively searching for one.

Personally I'm worried about both emmigration, as well as abortion rates.

I think Putin should ban abortion until the population rate corrects, and give tax breaks for children.

[Domangart]

$1.00 an hour for two years.

[x5452]

Nobody buys houses in Russia they purchase flats. They cost around 30 to 75 grand cash. Precious few sell on credit in Russia, although it's becoming popular (albeit with payments like 1000+ per month).

Most of my Russian freinds have cars, apartments are like 8 bucks a month to rent for Russians. All my Russian freinds have computers also.

I have never heard of a 'bread subsidy'. It's all baked loafs, you can only get sliced bread in supermarkets, most people have unsliced bread and slice it themselves. It's good stuff, although it's a pain to cut.

It cost me 50 bucks including tip and 3 rounds of alcohol (at least 2 bottles worth of vodka) for my birthday party in Russia with 6 of my freinds, appetizers, and meal, desert. We went all out and it would cost at least 100 for two people in our state capital (this was the capital of the republic I was in at the time).

[x5452]

I'v never heard of anyone being kidnapped for pulling in 200 a month.

[jb6]

Abortion post 12 weeks has been banned for almost 3 years now. Many oblasts now give incentives for kids: have 3 kids in 5 years and we'll buy you a house/farm as long as you prove you're clean and sombor and have a job.

The government there also gives incentives for kids though I think if you gave people a 100% break from income tax for 2 years after each kid is born, it would move things along.

[jb6]

Nobody buys houses in Russia they purchase flats. They cost around 30 to 75 grand cash. Precious few sell on credit in Russia, although it's becoming popular (albeit with payments like 1000+ per month).

Not quite true. Most people own dachas, country houses ranging from shacks to mansions. A dacha 100+ km from Moscow can be bought for around $10-15k with an acre plus of land. The further from major cities, the cheaper. In Siberia, they'll pay you to move out there.

Mortgages are also available, started by a US company and spreading quickly with now 10% down and 20 year credits.

apartments are like 8 bucks a month to rent for Russians

Most people own their own apartments. That was a gift of the disolved Soviet Union. Everyone who was registered in an apartment became an owner.