Putin concerned over wage arrears in Arkhangelsk
In a face-to-face meeting with Arkhangelsk Governor Ilya Mikhalchuk Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin expressed his concerns over wage arrears in very direct words.
Governor Mikhalchuk was called in to the Prime Minister’s office to discuss the social and economic situation in the Arkhangelsk region, particularly the problems of wages owed to budget-dependent employees.
Putin first asked Mikhalchuk about the wages in the region. But when Mikhalhcuk then started to tell about the production growth rates for the cardboard and pulp industry in the region Putin immediately interrupted him: - I’m asking about wages not cardboard, an annoyed Putin replayed.
Then the two had a disagreement about the facts:
Ilya Mikhalchuk: As for wages, first, we don’t have any debts to public sector employees.
Vladimir Putin: Then why is it written in the report I have that you do?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: We don’t. I am positive that we have no debts to public sector employees working in regional and municipal institutions.
Vladimir Putin: Look, as of March 1 of this year, debts totaled 113.6 million roubles. They have almost doubled since the start of the year. The failure to pay public sector employees on time is particularly worrisome. Wages owed to them have reached 17.5 million roubles.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: I will get to the bottom of this, Mr Putin. My figures are slightly different. Our total debt is 53 million, but we are doing all we can for the debts…
Vladimir Putin: In other words, you cannot answer this question now, correct?
Ilya Mikhalchuk: I can check, but the figures I have…
Vladimir Putin: You can check but you can’t answer.
Ilya Mikhalchuk: We have achieved such impressive growth…
Vladimir Putin: Okay. I have a big request. Literally right after our meeting today, please request all the necessary data from your fiscal agencies and report back to me early next week.
Mikhalchuk ended the exchange of words on the topic with promising Putin that he certainly would come with the correct information. The transcript from the meeting is available at the web portal of the Prime Minister.
The rest of the meeting was devoted to the industrial production in Arkhangelsk region, especially the pulp- and paper industry and the challenges for the shipbuilding enterprises in Severodvinsk. Putin said is a four billion rubles worth loan to Sevmash, provided by Vnesheconombank is likely to be extended for another five years.
Putin also noted, despite the problems, that it is a positive development in the region with an increase in industrial production.
- I am pleased to note that industrial production in your region has gone up 11% in the first two months of the year, which is double the average for Russia, Putin told Mikhalchuk.
