The Russian Foreign Ministry named 10 countries as hardship posts deserving the pay supplement. It described these countries as suffering “an explosive social-political situation resulting from an inefficient central authority, outdated economic system, energy dependency, low living standards and growing crime rate.”
The 10 hardship countries were identified as: Georgia, where hatred of Russia is perhaps the highest in the world; Abkhazia, a country recognized only by Russia; Israel, which seemed an odd country for the list; Guatemala, the sole Latin American country listed; Chad and Sudan, the only African countries listed; Tajikistan; North Korea; Iran; and Serbia, which the Foreign Ministry said was listed because of the troubles in secessionist Kosovo.
Iraq and Afghanistan were not on the hardship list.
In addition to the 20 percent pay supplement, diplomats working in the hardship posts will receive credit toward retirement of 15 days for every 10 days served.
Many governments have such pay supplements for what they call hardship posts, which are commonly defined as primitive locations with little local entertainment, high crime and limited health care.
The United States gives hardship allowances for about half of its posts around the world ranging from 5 percent (Athens, among other posts) to 35 percent (Iraq, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Equatorial Guinea and Peshawar in Pakistan).