The number of poor in Russia increased to 23 million people. DW asked ordinary citizens whose salary fell below the subsistence level, to tell how their budget.
The number of Russians living below the poverty line, is growing rapidly. In mid-June, it is recognized by Rosstat. The Agency has published data on which the number of residents with incomes below the subsistence level in the first quarter increased by 3.1 percent compared to the same period in 2014. Poor was 3 million more. In Russia 23 million, or almost 16 percent of the population.
The reason for this is the crisis of the Russian economy and accelerated inflation. The size of the subsistence minimum, i.e. a set of minimum required person products, goods and services, in all regions began to rise sharply. In the beginning of the year on average, it increased by 17.3 percent, according to Rosstat. Economists believe that the real number of poor exceeds the official statistics, and in the near future it will continue to increase.
DW interviewed people from different regions of Russia, which because of the crisis, were below the poverty line – as they are your budget and how to survive on extremely low wages. Nearly all poor themselves do not believe and are sure that “around a lot of people do, if not worse.” Some of them asked to change their real names.
“Meat is not enough”
Tatiana Satdarova worked as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital of Birobidzhan, her 41. Their work considers heavy, but this woman has used: “it is Difficult to endure mentally ill people and breathe in pairs drugs, we have all the staff allergies. But now it worked, don’t pay attention”. The subsistence minimum in the region – 13129 rubles, the salary of Tatiana with all possible jobs, including rate cleaners, on average, 10 thousand rubles.
Tatiana Satdarova son
Tatiana Satdarova son
“Money is sorely lacking. Son 6 years, I raise him one, with her husband divorced. But husband have to give credit – 5000 rubles. Utilities – 5,000, I pay half with my brother. The rest goes to the son – 2000 on a garden of 1200 to prepare for school. 1500 on the road,” she said. She adds that if not cleaned sometimes apartment as part-time work, that is, it would be quite something, but the “meat is often still not enough”.
Tatiana is reluctant to pay in the hospital raised at least to subsistence level, and wants to go to relatives in the neighboring region, but “while there is no money”.
“A vacation will work – the money is still there”
Michael Pankeevu 25 years, he worked in Moscow, specialist 1st category at Federal Ministry, in what is not said: “I used to have business consulting, but he never took off, partly because of my inexperience, partly because of the crisis. Now I want to gain experience in the field of legislative work, so here I am. But when you get the opportunity go back to the business”.
The subsistence minimum in the capital is 16296 rubles, the salary of Michael 15170 rubles: “I had to strictly limit their expenses. 3000 left on the road and incidental expenses, the rest give to the family budget. We live four of us, parents, my fiancee and I, so rent is not spent. On the weekends spend time in the dance school and the capital’s parks, is impossible to escape from daily routine. On vacation, I’ll probably work the money is still there”.
“Wears clothes for friends”
Olga Nikolaeva from Saratov 50 years, it is engaged in the paperwork for the gas company. Wages from all jobs is about 10 000 rubles, the cost of living has made 8892 rubles, but the money is still not enough: “All the money spent on food and medicines. Food try to buy where it is cheaper, but the meat is still eating very little. Clothes and shoes to afford almost can’t help out a friend – give your old things.”
The woman said that her daughter had brought up, live in the apartment for a Threesome with sister and nephew: “a bit Crowded, but to pass one another we can’t. But “communal” divide by three, if not that money would have remained very little”. According to Olga, the entertainment she is almost there: “All my joy is to walk on foot, to go to the public beach, watch TV. At cafes, movie theatres or no money. My dream is to save up for a cheap bus tour to go to the sea”.
“If we do not take bribes – money for life is not enough”
Nicholas Grunicheva from the Orenburg region (the subsistence minimum 8771 rubles) 30 years, he previously worked in the financial sector, but then he was offered the post of teacher in high school: “I took two bids for 7,500 rubles, but had to literally live at work. In a week there are 34 pairs, 51 hours of pure time, not counting the change of a timetable and road to work.”
Then Nicholas had to abandon the second rate, or not had time to life: “I was surprised to hear on TV about the growth of salaries of University teachers. We have in the payment number has not changed for two years. Many take bribes – only, so apparently you can make ends meet. Recently increased the rate to 14000, but inflation had already eaten half.” Nicholas talks about his budget: “8000 for rental housing, 4000 to pay the loan, 2000 – travel and lunch at work. Only survive on part-time work on the side – the money goes to food and clothes. No savings. About overseas vacation, no one thinks, of course.”
“You never know how to turn life”
54-year-old Lyubov Glazkova from Moscow had previously worked as an Opera producer and was more than a wealthy man”. But two years ago she was diagnosed with cancer, “Many have turned away from me, some partners decided not to give money, “still do die.” We all believe that cancer is a sentence. But I survived, thanks to her husband, friends and my own stubbornness – the cancer was able to win.”
Now Love gets a disability pension of 13,000 rubles. Not enough money: “I need medicine for 6000 rubles, the free state is not suitable. 3000 I pay rent. On the remaining 4 I need dress, shoes and feed themselves. To survive on this money is impossible, helps me husband.” Now Love Glazkov is going to actively engaged in social work to organize its anti-cancer program.
“It used to eat cheese every day, now once a week.”
Elena Milashina works as a midwife in the Lipetsk hospital, she’s 39 years old. A salary of 6,000 rubles, the cost of living – 8900. The extra money gives the part time job as a cleaner at the hospital. She believes that in recent years, the economic situation in the country deteriorated significantly: “Some people fired, we now do it”.
Elena is a single mother with two daughters: “Girls, I have the same age, it is beneficial – one after another wears clothes. 3000 rubles, pay bills, and basic expenses – for food. We used to eat cheese every day for Breakfast, now once a week. Little meat is eaten, before I did burgers now buy prefabricated with soy – otherwise, no money is not enough. The garden helps to survive. Now, however, bad weather constantly – bend any all.
On vacation, according to Milashina, there is no money, “Sometimes to the river exit. Can barely afford 5-6 sausages, roast on the fire. Want to buy girls computer, you will have to take out a loan”. Economic problems, the woman blames the country’s leadership: “I never go to Pro-government rallies, even if rounded up”.
