Literal question
It is said that establishments are sometimes required to make gifts or informal payments to public officials to "get things done" with regard to customs, taxes, licenses, regulations, services etc. On average, what percent of total annual sales, or estimated total annual value, do establishments like this one pay in informal payments or gifts to public officials for this purpose - percent of total annual sales paid as informal payment.
var_qstn_ivulnstr
PROVIDE EITHER ONE OR THE OTHER, NOT BOTH
1) Size of informal payments/gifts Informal payments are payments made to government officials that are unaudited or unreported. They are generally given to an official with the expectation that a service will be performed (such as granting a business license), a violation overlooked (such as violation of health regulation), or because the official threatens the business.
Notice the wording (phrasing) of the question: it asks for the respondent to answer for establishments “like this one” rather than the establishment being interviewed.
2) Sensitive question, no clarification can be offered