Did
you know that in Russia salaries can be white, black and sometimes
grey?
чёрная
зарплата (“black salary”) is the
salary from which no taxes were paid. For example, you work
somewhere, but not officially, so you get “black salary.” If they
fire you, you won't be able to prove you worked there.
белая
зарплата (“white salary”) is an
official, legal salary from which you and your employer pay taxes,
it’s what you officially get.
There
is also a term «зарплата в конверте» - “salary
in the envelope”, usually meaning black salary. You receive your
salary in cash in an envelope.
There
can also be серая зарплата, “grey
salary”, when part of your salary is legal, white, and the other is
not.
Of
course black and grey salaries are illegal in Russia, but
unfortunately they are quite common. Sometimes someone is ready to
hire you only if you accept the black salary.
У
него серая зарплата. - He gets grey salary.
Сколько
ты чёрными получаешь? - What's your black salary?
Платить
зарплату чёрными незаконно. - To pay black
salary is illegal.
It is called 'the black market'same thing really.
ReplyDeleteIt's not. According to Wikipedia, "A black market or underground economy is the market in which illegal goods are traded." Black salaries can be in any industry - you can get it when you work in office, shop, as a cleaner, designer, anyone.
DeleteWe have the same term in Russian for black market - чёрный рынок, and it's not directly related to чёрная зарплата.
Now I am puzzled! Maybe the term for unofficial work, paid in cash not declared so avoiding taxation has another name all I know is that is referred to as being part of the 'black economy'. There is an expression here in the UK but I can't remember it right now!
DeleteOh and by the way I have just signed up as a follower. Do come over and see my blog.
DeleteAlready visited :)
DeleteAs I see it, black salaries are simply a part of black economy among other things.
Interesting post! Enjoyed reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Annie!
Delete