The task of achieving the December average wage level of $500 will be implemented. This was stated by Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Belarus Marianna Shchetkina in an interview with "Capital TV". "But, again, it is the average wage in the national economy, which doesn't imply for everyone to receive $500. Salaries are different," she said.
At the same time, she says, some industries (transportation, construction, science) has already exceeded that amount, CTV.
According to the Minister, the decision on increasing salaries and pensions are not a populist, they are scheduled. «This is mainly due to the financial possibilities of the state, provided for the good work of the real economy sector,» Marianna Shchetkina said.
According to her, there are no oligarchs in Belarus now, however, they can appear in connection with the development of entrepreneurship and liberalization of the wage. Also, there are practically no poor people in Belarus with average income per capita below the subsistence level (Br283.05 — $94.35).
Retirement Age is Not Planned to Rise, Shchetkina
As stated by Marianna Shchetkina, the retirement age is not planned to rise, but the possibility of its increasing is being considered by the government. «Let’s look to life in the right way. We live today, our children and grandchildren will live tomorrow. It does not mean that 55 and 60 will remain forever. We will consider various options. Such a pension age remained in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan,» the Minister noted.
At the same time, in his view, despite the much lower life expectancy for males compared with females, they should not be equated in the retirement age.
