Russian leather trade protests at government inaction on hide exports
Over 30 representatives of Russia’s leather and shoe-making industries last week gathered outside the White House (government residence) in Moscow to protest at what they say is the government’s continuing failure to protect the industry.
Because of the government’s adherence to ‘open market’ policies, up to 80% of Russia’s raw materials are exported and few controls are exercised over the import of footwear, much of which arrives in the country illegally. The workers say that because of this, they cannot work to anywhere near full capacity and the industry is now in recession.
Speaking to national television, Tatyana Sosina, chairman of the Russian Trade Union of Textile and Light Industry said: " We see very clearly how civilised countries defend their own industries. In Europe the foot-and-mouth epidemic necessitated the slaughter of all the cattle. For this reason European producers of footwear are importing our raw leather in massive quantities."
Anatoliy Klushin, director with the footwear company Novosibirsk said: "There is not a single law or government initiative aimed at helping us shoe-makers in the battle - literal battle - with Turkish, Chinese and other imports."
Following the protest, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Aleksey Kudrin agreed to meet a delegation of the workers to hear their grievances.
