Salaries will be increased gradually in Belarus, Lukashenko says
MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) – The salaries will be increased in a step by step manner in Belarus, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the 6th Congress of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus on 16 September, BelTA has learnt.
They say that salaries in Europe are much higher than those in Belarus. “We are essentially ready to pay $1,000. But let us agree that in this case you will pay for health care, education and utility services in full. Ladutko told me that one thousand dollars will not be enough to pay for all this without state subsidies,” the President said.
He reminded that people pay only 34% of the utility and housing expenses. The budget provides over $1 billion to cover the remaining 66%. “We can give this money away. But what about education, and healthcare? In Europe, for example, a poor person cannot even dream of education. All this costs much more than utility fees,” the head of state underlined.
“This system has developed over time. We can switch to another one, but the experience of other countries shows that not everything runs smoothly. This is why we will refine this system; and when our economy grows two times, when we are able to pay good salaries, we will gradually move on, without any revolutions,” the President said.
He noted that “the contract system will remain in place in Belarus, but people should be protected and supported.” The head of state believes that a labor contract is a civilized form of relations between employers and employees.
