MOSCOW, March 18, 2004 - RIA Novosti. A very high level of poverty is observed in 61 out of 89 constituent entities of the Russian Federation. This was stated by Head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (RSPP) Arkady Volsky when he spoke at the international conference "Social Responsibility of Companies." "Despite the favorable changes in the economy, the inadmissibly high level of poverty exists in the country, with this level being especially high in 61 constituent entities of the Russian Federation," he stressed.
According to Volsky, only 1.5% of the country's population are well-to-do, with differences in incomes within this stratum being 20 times.
In the opinion of the RSPP head, the solution of urgent problems, including overcoming poverty, demands consolidated actions of all branches of power and business.
Business in Russia is striving for a serious dialogue with the state and civil society in resolving the key problems of the country's social development, first and foremost, in overcoming poverty, Volsky said.
He also noted that the "social responsibility of business is more than charity action alone -enterprises-members of the RSPP spend up to 17% of their profits on social programs.
