A. Lukashenko: By the end of the year, the salary in Belarus should reach $500

3 May, Minsk /BELTA/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko confirms the task of bringing salaries in Belarus to the level of $500 by the end of 2012. He stated this on May 3, while receiving a report from the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus Leonid Kozik, BELTA was informed by the press service of the head of state. "I, for example, am coming to the conclusion that some of our managers have started to hide behind the President's wording: if there is labor productivity, there is wages, if there is no productivity, there are no wages. All this is correct, but it is followed by the fact that labor productivity must be increased and enterprise managers must strive, and very hard, to increase labor productivity, and accordingly, to increase wages," said the head of state. "We still need to reach the level of $500 by the end of the year, as we agreed. Therefore, managers in this regard should not just be oriented today, but already pressed. Otherwise, many shrug their shoulders: well, there is no labor productivity, the President said, there are no wages. So why is this manager in production?" - believes the head of state. He noted that in this regard, he would like to hear the assessment of the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions on how trade union leaders, especially in primary organizations, are acting in this situation. "Your point of view on the development of the Belarusian economy in terms of wage growth: what do we need to do here, what concerns do you see - trade unions are still closer to the people and are directly in the thick of things," said the President. Alexander Lukashenko noted that this meeting traditionally takes place during the May holidays, and congratulated the head of the FTUB and Belarusian citizens on Labour Day. "I am still a supporter of, perhaps, not walking in the streets, as it was before, but organizing May Day gatherings somewhere in parks, in nature, as it was originally intended, so that people can relax and gather with their families," said the head of state.

Addressing Leonid Kozik, the President noted that he would like to learn about the existing problematic issues within the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FPB). "I would like to hear how our main, principal, and, one might say, essentially sole mass trade union organisation operates, and, above all, what problems exist there. Because we all see the good, but problems must be tackled, not concealed, if there are any problematic enterprises. I am also ready to participate in resolving these issues. I would like to hear from you where, first and foremost, the President should visit in order to understand the developing situation," said the Head of State. "In general, it is a whole complex of issues that I would like to see through the prism of the work of trade union organisations," the President summarised. Leonid Kozik informed the Head of State about how trade union organisations operate, what concerns people in production collectives, how the May 1st rally went, and about people's sentiments. According to the Chairman of the FPB, "trade unions are concerned that price growth sometimes outpaces income growth." "And this is incorrect, as there are categories of people whose incomes are not very high, and in this regard, the Federation of Trade Unions will always have a negative attitude towards such government decisions. I think this is understandable to anyone who goes to the shop and receives a salary. The government cannot hide behind complete price liberalisation," Leonid Kozik noted. The President was also briefed on the preparations for the children's health improvement season. According to Leonid Kozik, this year more than 400,000 children will be able to rest and improve their health in summer camps, with about 180,000 of them in suburban camps. All children's camps are well-equipped and ready to receive schoolchildren. As for the rest of adult citizens, this year the discount on vouchers to sanatoria and rest homes for FPB members has been increased from 15% to 20%. The Head of State was also informed about other issues concerning the activities of the FPB. The President confirmed that the FPB should continue its work on implementing directives, particularly with regard to families in difficult life situations raising children, on labour protection, economy, and thrift. -0-

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