170,000 Ink Petition Demanding Russia PM's Resignation
Sumaira FH Published August 05, 2016 | 08:01 PM
MOSCOW, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th August, 2016) - More than 170,000 Russians have signed an online petition to President Vladimir Putin calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev over his recent comments on teachers' pay.
The petition posted on Change.org came after the premier advised a low-paid lecturer to go into business if he wanted to make money. Medvedev's comments -- seen as out-of-touch and uncaring -- unleashed a torrent of criticism in the press and on social media.
"The cabinet should be led by a person who is competent, educated and cares about the country," wrote the petition's author, Alexander Li. "We are seeing the opposite right now." The Duma, the lower house of Russia's parliament, is obliged to debate any petition that gets 100,000 signatures. At a youth education forum on Tuesday, Medvedev was asked by a university lecturer from the impoverished Dagestan region why teachers receive only around 15,000 rubles ($230) per month, while police are significantly better paid. "There's no need to compare," Medvedev said.
"The issue is what you choose in life." Teaching, he said, "is a vocation. If you want to make money, there are a bunch of great places where you can do that quicker and better in business.
And you didn't go into business." Medvedev -- who served as president from 2008 to 2012 between Putin's presidential terms -- added that a "modern energetic teacher" should be able to find ways to "earn something extra.
" Official statistics show the average monthly salary in Russia is around 37,000 rubles (507 Euros, $566).
Teachers make an average 32,000 rubles per month but the figure varies greatly depending on the region. In the Dagestan region, teachers earn a monthly average of 18,000 rubles, Kommersant daily reported.
- 'Hang in there' - =================== "The prime minister's impressions are completely understandable," said a wry editorial in tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets. "We all know very well of government officials who successfully manage to combine their main job with business, including big business." Novaya Gazeta lashed out at the premier over his remarks.
"Cynicism cannot be at the foundation of the state's domestic policy. That usually ends badly for the state and the bureaucrats," it said. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the petition.
Other Russian officials have enraged teachers with insensitive comments about their low salaries. Last year a local lawmaker in the city of Yekaterinburg advised female teachers to find themselves wealthy husbands to ensure their livelihoods. In May, Medvedev once again sparked public ire after telling a group of pensioners: "There's no money, but hang in there." The phrase has since gone viral. Russia's energy-reliant economy is reeling from the fall in oil prices and Western sanctions over Moscow's meddling in Ukraine.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 20 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 20 April 2024
Tennis: ATP Barcelona Open results - 1st update
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Vondrousova stuns Sabalenka
Arandu's roads closed due to flooding
Oil tanker catches fire in Islamabad’s Blue Area
Pakistan committed to ensure safety of foreign nationals: FO
Tennis: WTA Stuttgart results - 1st update
Four passengers injured as train hit an empty vehicle
Over- speeding bus crushed to death two bike riders
Turkey's Freedom Flotilla ready to set sail for Gaza
French teen dies from heart failure after knife attack near school
More Stories From World
-
In historic election, Volkswagen workers in Tennessee vote to unionize
2 minutes ago -
US agrees to pull troops from key drone host Niger: officials
22 minutes ago -
US agrees to pull troops from key drone host Niger: officials
22 minutes ago -
Like a bad movie: Argentina's culture industry agonizes under Milei
22 minutes ago -
Pogacar aims to halt Van der Poel's bid to emulate Merckx 1975 record
32 minutes ago -
Golf: PGA RBC Heritage scores
32 minutes ago
-
Glowering, threats and Al Capone: what faces the Trump jury
32 minutes ago -
Swiatek's perfect 10 in Stuttgart as Sabalenka, Gauff crash out
41 minutes ago -
Netflix weighs on Nasdaq as market gyrates on reported strike of Iran
42 minutes ago -
North Korea tests 'super-large warhead': state media
42 minutes ago -
Volkswagen workers vote decisively to unionize in Tennessee: company
42 minutes ago -
Golf: Chevron Championship scores
42 minutes ago