Belarus on track to $500 average salary in 2012

MINSK, 15 June (BelTA) – President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko is confident about the ability of the national economy to secure the average salary of $500 in equivalent in 2012. He made this statement as he heard out a report of Chairperson of the Board of the National Bank of Belarus Nadezhda Yermakova on 15 June, BelTA learnt from the press service of the Belarusian head of state.

“The assumptions that we will not be able to increase the average salary up to $500 in equivalent are groundless. Many companies prove these allegations wrong. For example, the average salary in Minsk is nearing $500 and will rise further. Why others cannot do it? They must do it,” the President emphasized.

The head of state noted, “The average salary in the private sector should make up about $700, not $500 this year. The figure should exceed $500 at state-run companies. This should be done in earnest”.

“The talks that we lack something to make it happen are groundless. How come then almost all top executives, specialists and managers of private companies drive a Mercedes? What, they have no money to pay a decent salary to people? They do have it. Let them sell their Mercedes and pay salaries,” the President said.

The head of state also spoke about the state-run sector. “Look how much they spend. They should cut down on the prime cost and raise salaries to a decent level. It is not a fear of something, contrary to what our opposition and yellow press say. The only fear we have is the absence of decent salaries of workers”.

The President stated that the demand to increase the salary should be executed without fail. “Of course, this is the number one task for the Government, but the National Bank should not stay away from it, either,” the head of state said.

He emphasized that the execution of tasks in construction, including housing construction, is just as important. “Those are not secondary issues. We should also come to grips with the financial circumstances of the military, we are making some progress here, but we need to ramp up our efforts,” Alexander Lukashenko said.