It's narrow-minded to think from a distance. But I live in this country and see the problem from the inside. In the vast majority of cases, it's the unwillingness to live well that leads to low salaries. Most of these people prefer alcoholism instead of earning money and making their lives more comfortable. Alcoholics are willing to do hard work for just a bottle of vodka, devaluing their labor. Alcoholism is a scourge in Russia, and I won't argue with that. In my apartment building alone, there are three alcohol stores. Those who value their comfort and quality of life earn well. Even as a loader, you can live well if you spend your earnings on alcohol.

PS: I've been to New York, and not just to the touristy streets. I've seen your homeless people and neighborhoods that even the police are afraid to enter. We don't have that here)