That camera you got from Ukraine

[jon_flanders]

Ever thought about that $40 you spent for a camera on Ebay from Ukraine? Guess what, that $40 might be a weeks pay for the average Ukrainian. I've been doing a little research on the situation there since the recent post election controversy.

Jon Flanders

from:http://eb.eiu.com/index.asp?layout=oneclick&country_id=980000298#7

"Measured in US dollars, the average Ukrainian wage is low even by regional standards, a little over US$2 per day, equal to around half of the level in Russia and only around one-tenth of the level in Poland. The wage gap is strongest between average monthly wages in Kiev (around HRN670 in mid-2002) and in the predominantly agrarian western regions of the country.

Average wages in Ternopil, for instance, remained a long way below the national average at around
HRN250 in mid-2002. Wages in Ukraine will remain below US$130 per month over the next five years."

 

[RML]

Interesting. I thought wages were higher in the western FSU states and lower and lower the more you get to the east. I know that average wages in Mongolia don't amount to more than $50 per month, though those who have a good education and can get a job with some NGO or foreign organisation can earn upto 10 times as much. Needless to say that not many are that lucky.

 

[Krasnaya_Zvezda]

Re: That camera you got from Ukraine

Ever thought about that $40 you spent for a camera on Ebay from Ukraine? Guess what, that $40 might be a weeks pay for the average Ukrainian. I've been doing a little research on the situation there since the recent post election controversy.

Jon Flanders

Then I've been putting somebody's kids through college, what with the number of FSU cameras I've bought in the last year... seriously though, if that measly 40 bucks is a significant sum to somebody in Ukraine, I'm glad to buy from them.

 

[doubs43]

Re: Re: That camera you got from Ukraine

Re: Re: That camera you got from Ukraine

Then I've been putting somebody's kids through college, what with the number of FSU cameras I've bought in the last year... seriously though, if that measly 40 bucks is a significant sum to somebody in Ukraine, I'm glad to buy from them.

Yep..... I've contributed my share of college funds. Maybe someone else's too!

There are certain sellers from whom I've gotten great deals and I will continue to patronize them whenever possible.

Walker

 

[Gordon Coale]

I had thought this might be the case. Thanks for digging up this information.

 

[dll927]

Why does somebody always have to bring politics into the equation? We aren't the (former)Soviet Union, and since that several-decade experiment failed, why dwell on it? This sounds like more of the "don't buy because their workers are paid peon wages" crap. If everybody followed that stuff, there would be no commerce.

 

[back alley]

woa!
did you read the text?
no one has said not to buy - in fact - it's just the opposite!

relax and have an eggnog.

joe

 

[Nikon Bob]

This is a good time of year to think about just how lucky we are over here. Jon's post just confirms that. Maybe make that two eggnogs.

Bob

 

[dll927]

Thanks, guys, I'd enjoy the eggnog! Believe me, I'm not trying to start a mean argument. But my point is, that as long as the U. S. (or some people therefrom) continue to think that we should set the standards for the rest of the world, it's no surprise that 2/3 of the world detests us. Would that people in many other countries enjoyed the blessings we have.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Hope the eggnog also had rum in it! Seems like everyone wants to be upwardly mobile and defacto the US appears to set the standard for economic lifestyle. Commerce can be a double edged sword. The irony of unemployed Kodak workers in North America having to buy Kodak film made in China has me wondering. Global free trade is a real can of worms that may eventually settle out, with everyone gaining.

Bob