Pikalevo
Russia
Thursday, June 4, 2009

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been surveying some factories and industrial complexes owned by the oligarch Oleg Deripaska

The survey concluded with Putin launching a tirade of displeasure about the state the businesses were in, and the lack of care and maintenance

Moreover the workers have not been paid their salaries for months

Here are Putin’s comments :-

"Why has your factory been so neglected? They've turned it into a rubbish dump," Putin said as was given a guided tour of the factory in the town of Pikalevo in the Leningrad region of northern Russia.
The prime minister - stony faced and dressed in a beige jacket - later held a meeting in which he ordered the oligarch to pay the factory's wages and ensured he signed a document to revive its operations.

"All the unpaid wages - amounting to 41.24 million rubles ($1.35 million) - must be paid. The deadline - today," said the tough talking prime minister in comments carried on state television.

"They (the factory owners) have made thousands of people hostage to their ambitions, unprofessionalism and maybe simply greed," said Putin.

"This is simply unacceptable. Where is the social responsibility of business?" he added.

"Has Oleg Vladimirovich signed?" he asked in reference to Deripaska. "I don't see your signature. Come and sign," said Putin grimly.

Deripaska, head bowed, then hurried to sign the document, before returning to his seat. Putin granted him a nod in acknowledgment, television pictures showed.

Putin is still the ‘kingpin’ in Russia and Deripaska will have to get in line with what Putin demands, or the price he will pay will be very severe