Belarus still on track to $500 salaries, Lukashenko says

MINSK, 10 September (BelTA) - The plans to raise the average salary to the equivalent of $500 by the year-end are still intact, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said when meeting with the members of the Government and the National Bank to receive the report on the economy performance in 2012, evaluate the year-end results and the budget and monetary policy forecasts for 2013, BelTA has learnt. "The average salary has risen almost to Br4 million. This is a little more than $470. By the end of the year we will reach the target of $500. Real money incomes of population increased by 17.5% and real wages by 21.5%,” said the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the strong connection between the pay rise and labor productivity would remain the most important principle. “We should give people an opportunity to earn money,” the President said. According to the head of state, increasing prices are still a major concern for people. Prices continue rising though exchange rate of the Belarusian ruble has stabilized, the Belarusian leader underlined.

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