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MOSCOW — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Wednesday criticized a group of customs officers for a YouTube video celebrating the lavish lifestyle they say comes with their government jobs.
The mock rap video made in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok shows customs officials in sunglasses driving a Rolls Royce and drinking champagne surrounded by scantily clad women.
"You can't even imagine how the customs officials have fun," officers sing in chorus as a topless woman clutches customs forms to her breasts.
No disciplinary action has been taken to date against the officers who posted the video, but Putin, Russia's paramount leader, condemned the bling-filled video's tongue-in-cheek look at corruption.
"Discipline is needed in several of the divisions, we have to raise it a little," Putin said at a meeting with the head of the Federal Customs Service.
"I like to joke and laugh a little myself, but this kind of creativity should be saved for a talent show," said Putin, who has hinted he may run for president in 2012.
The average monthly salary for customs officials — $1,000 — is also the size of the average bribe in Russia, according to a recent report in financial daily Vedomosti.
Russians lament corruption and bribe-taking by government officials to carry out standard procedures and the customs service is perceived as a major offender.
From cars to wine, imports are sought after in Russia and often cost at least twice as much as in the country of origin.
Corruption is also considered the biggest obstacle to doing business in Russia, and investors have demanded more measures to fight the growing problem.
Berlin-based graft watchdog Transparency International ranks Russia 154th out of 178 countries in a corruption perception index, putting it on par with Laos and Cambodia.
Government jobs are among the most sought-after and are often sold for thousands of dollars in Russia, where bureaucrats often supplement modest incomes with sometimes huge bribes.
Some visitors to the YouTube site praised the video, including a suggestion that they should go on tour. Others scathingly mocked the idea and criticized the clip.
"What tour? They make more on bribes than any star. There is a stream of goods flowing in from China through Vladivostok, They are literally raking in the money," said one person who identified themselves as GiusAppuleiusDiocles.
President Dmitry Medvedev Wednesday sent a bill to parliament increasing the fines on officials caught taking bribes to up to 100 times the size of the original bribe.
Many Russians say paying bribes has become a regular feature in almost every sphere of life, from ensuring attention in the health care industry to getting better marks in university or evading penalties from traffic police. Bigger bribes are paid by companies to secure contracts or other business.
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The mock rap video made in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok shows customs officials in sunglasses driving a Rolls Royce and drinking champagne surrounded by scantily clad women.
"You can't even imagine how the customs officials have fun," officers sing in chorus as a topless woman clutches customs forms to her breasts.
No disciplinary action has been taken to date against the officers who posted the video, but Putin, Russia's paramount leader, condemned the bling-filled video's tongue-in-cheek look at corruption.
"Discipline is needed in several of the divisions, we have to raise it a little," Putin said at a meeting with the head of the Federal Customs Service.
"I like to joke and laugh a little myself, but this kind of creativity should be saved for a talent show," said Putin, who has hinted he may run for president in 2012.
The average monthly salary for customs officials — $1,000 — is also the size of the average bribe in Russia, according to a recent report in financial daily Vedomosti.
Russians lament corruption and bribe-taking by government officials to carry out standard procedures and the customs service is perceived as a major offender.
From cars to wine, imports are sought after in Russia and often cost at least twice as much as in the country of origin.
Corruption is also considered the biggest obstacle to doing business in Russia, and investors have demanded more measures to fight the growing problem.
Berlin-based graft watchdog Transparency International ranks Russia 154th out of 178 countries in a corruption perception index, putting it on par with Laos and Cambodia.
Government jobs are among the most sought-after and are often sold for thousands of dollars in Russia, where bureaucrats often supplement modest incomes with sometimes huge bribes.
Some visitors to the YouTube site praised the video, including a suggestion that they should go on tour. Others scathingly mocked the idea and criticized the clip.
"What tour? They make more on bribes than any star. There is a stream of goods flowing in from China through Vladivostok, They are literally raking in the money," said one person who identified themselves as GiusAppuleiusDiocles.
President Dmitry Medvedev Wednesday sent a bill to parliament increasing the fines on officials caught taking bribes to up to 100 times the size of the original bribe.
Many Russians say paying bribes has become a regular feature in almost every sphere of life, from ensuring attention in the health care industry to getting better marks in university or evading penalties from traffic police. Bigger bribes are paid by companies to secure contracts or other business.
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MOSCOW — Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has recently criticized a group of customs officers for their extravagant lifestyle showcased in a controversial YouTube video. The clip, originating from Vladivostok, features customs officials flaunting their wealth while engaging in a parody rap, complete with luxury cars, champagne, and scantily clad women.
The officers boast in the video, "You can't even imagine how the customs officials have fun," underscored by a scene where a topless woman humorously holds customs forms. Despite the public outcry and Putin’s criticism, no disciplinary action has yet been taken against those involved in the video. During a meeting with the head of the Federal Customs Service, Putin expressed his view that while humor has its place, the tone should be reserved for talent shows rather than public displays that mock serious issues.
The average salary for customs officials in Russia is approximately $1,000, which coincidentally matches the average bribe they are often expected to accept, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption within Russian bureaucracy. Reports indicate that bribes are prevalent across various sectors, making corruption a significant barrier for both citizens and businesses alike.
Russians are increasingly frustrated with the ingrained culture of bribery, which permeates many aspects of daily life—from healthcare to education and law enforcement. With Russia ranked 154th out of 178 countries in Transparency International's corruption perception index, public confidence is further eroded as customs officials are often viewed as major offenders.
In response to this ongoing issue, President Dmitry Medvedev introduced legislation aimed at stringent penalties for government officials found guilty of bribery, proposing fines that could reach up to 100 times the original bribe amount.
Online reactions to the YouTube video have been mixed. Some users humorously suggested that the officers should consider touring with their talent, while others sharply criticized the portrayal of corruption, noting that the customs officials’ income through bribes likely exceeds that of most entertainers.
This incident not only sheds light on issues of corruption within government sectors but also reveals the societal attitudes surrounding such practices in Russia. Given that bribery is often seen as a convenient solution to expedite bureaucratic processes, it raises critical questions about the state of governance and law enforcement in the country.
What are your thoughts on how these kinds of public displays reflect broader societal issues? Do you believe stricter measures will effectively tackle corruption in government jobs? Share your opinions and let's discuss!
The officers boast in the video, "You can't even imagine how the customs officials have fun," underscored by a scene where a topless woman humorously holds customs forms. Despite the public outcry and Putin’s criticism, no disciplinary action has yet been taken against those involved in the video. During a meeting with the head of the Federal Customs Service, Putin expressed his view that while humor has its place, the tone should be reserved for talent shows rather than public displays that mock serious issues.
The average salary for customs officials in Russia is approximately $1,000, which coincidentally matches the average bribe they are often expected to accept, highlighting the pervasive issue of corruption within Russian bureaucracy. Reports indicate that bribes are prevalent across various sectors, making corruption a significant barrier for both citizens and businesses alike.
Russians are increasingly frustrated with the ingrained culture of bribery, which permeates many aspects of daily life—from healthcare to education and law enforcement. With Russia ranked 154th out of 178 countries in Transparency International's corruption perception index, public confidence is further eroded as customs officials are often viewed as major offenders.
In response to this ongoing issue, President Dmitry Medvedev introduced legislation aimed at stringent penalties for government officials found guilty of bribery, proposing fines that could reach up to 100 times the original bribe amount.
Online reactions to the YouTube video have been mixed. Some users humorously suggested that the officers should consider touring with their talent, while others sharply criticized the portrayal of corruption, noting that the customs officials’ income through bribes likely exceeds that of most entertainers.
This incident not only sheds light on issues of corruption within government sectors but also reveals the societal attitudes surrounding such practices in Russia. Given that bribery is often seen as a convenient solution to expedite bureaucratic processes, it raises critical questions about the state of governance and law enforcement in the country.
What are your thoughts on how these kinds of public displays reflect broader societal issues? Do you believe stricter measures will effectively tackle corruption in government jobs? Share your opinions and let's discuss!