18 May, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. An increase in labour pensions in Belarus is possible within the next two to three months. This was announced to a BELTA correspondent by Vice-Premier Anatoly Tozik. "The government is considering the issue of increasing labour pension amounts," he said. "A decision will be made in the coming months." The Deputy Head of Government stressed that this must be based on the state's economic capabilities: "To take financial resources out of a pocket, they must first be put into it." Anatoly Tozik emphasised that receipts to the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection are stable, and there is a "safety cushion" for pension payments. "In this regard, pensioners have no reason to worry – pensions have been paid and will continue to be paid on time and in full," the Vice-Premier assured. As for the reform of the pension system, this is a matter for the future. "First, we need to develop fundamental approaches that would be better for both people and easier for the state," Anatoly Tozik explained. "And until such approaches are defined, there will be no steps towards reforming the pension system in Belarus." -0-

BELTA