Russians are getting angry about the economy
Russians are waking up to the harsh reality that the economic crisis is nowhere near over, despite what President Vladimir Putin has been telling them.
There have even been several protests against the economic crisis -- a rare sight in a country where demonstrations don't happen very often.
Ordinary Russians are suffering because of the devastating impact of low oil prices and Western sanctions. Real wages fell 9.5% in 2015, with an average Russian earning just over 30,300 rubles ($385) a month last year, official data show.
At the same time, prices are rising fast. Inflation hit 12.5% in 2015 and could take longer to slow down if the ruble continues to fall. The currency has plunged since the start of the year, hitting an all-time low of 85 rubles per dollar on Thursday.
Russia: One of 10 worst economies in 2015
Official statistics show that over 20 million Russians, roughly 14% of the population, are now living in poverty. That compares with 16 million in 2014.
While Putin still enjoys approval ratings of up to 89%, small cracks are starting to appear in the Russian resilience. Russian long-haul truck drivers have for weeks been protesting outside Moscow against a new road tax they say could destroy their business.
Pensioners in the Olympic town of Sochi blocked traffic on Friday, demanding free transportation to be reinstated in the city, after it was cut as part of the country's austerity measures.
Russian official: Some things matter more than money
Businesses in Russia's crucial oil and gas industry are also complaining about punishing conditions. The price of oil has collapsed in the last 18 months, sending their revenues plunging.
The sector has been somewhat insulated against the drop because of favorable tax conditions. But the government is now mulling a change to the system, which could mean the oil companies would have to cut down on investment in order to pay their rising tax bills.
Energy is crucial for the Russian economy, with nearly half of the government revenue coming from the oil and gas exports.
The Russian economy shrank by 3.7% in 2015, putting it deep into recession and making it one of the world's 10 worst performing emerging markets for the year. The International Monetary Fund expects a further contraction of about 1% this year.
-- CNN's Matthew Chance in Moscow contributed to this report.
CNNMoney (London)First published January 26, 2016: 9:43 AM ET
http://money.cnn.com/2016/01/26/news/russia-protests-economy/index.html?iid=ob_video_footer&iid=obnetwork
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러시아 사람들이 푸틴의 발표에도 불구하고 경제 위기가 끝날 조짐이 안보이는 현실을 점차 깨닫고 있다고 합니다. 러시아에서는 데모가 거의 잘 일어 나지 않는데 근래에는 경제난 때문에 여러 차례 시위가 있었다고 합니다.
러시아 서민들이 엄청난 유가하락과 경제 제재 때문에 고통을 받고 있는데 2015년에 실질 임금이 9.5 퍼센트나 떨어졌습니다. 공식 통계에 의하면 러시아 평균 월급은 30,300루블 (USD 385) 입니다. 2015년 물가는 12.5퍼센트 상승.
모스크바 외곽에서는 트럭 운전사들이 새로 부과된 도로세 때문에 몇주째 시위를 해왔다고 합니다.
이제 푸틴 뿐만 아니라 러시아 서민들도 인내심의 한계를 느끼고 있고 푸틴이 영웅이 아니라 자기네들을 경제난이라는 구렁텅이 속으로 몰아 넣고 있다는 사실을 깨닫기 시작했군요.
국민들 수준이 그 나라 정치 수준이라는데 러시아 사람들이 대통령 제대로 뽑아서 고생 제대로 하고 잇습니다.
이 참에 재수 없는 조선족 쫓아내고 러시아 사람 데려다 쓰는게 더 싸게 먹히 겟네요. 이전에 농촌에서 러시아 사람 데려다가 논일/밭일 시키고 일당 주고 그랬는데.
다만 러시아 마피아는 No~~