The Government of Belarus forecasts a growth in the real incomes of the population. This was stated by Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov in an interview with the TV channel "Belarus 1", according to BELTA.
The Government of Belarus forecasts a growth in the real incomes of the population. This was stated by Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov in an interview with the TV channel "Belarus 1", according to BELTA.
According to the head of government, in the first quarter of the current year, real wages in the country increased by 1% (in January-February, the growth was 0.5%). According to statistical data, in March, the average wage was slightly over Br770. "So far, the trend is such that gradually, perhaps not on the scale we would like, but nevertheless, wage growth is ensured," stated the Prime Minister. "Against the backdrop of real wage growth, we expect that we will gradually begin to return the growth rates of real incomes to a positive value. For now, they are less than 100%."
The government forecasts an improvement in the dynamics of this indicator. "There are no statistics yet, but I think it is too early to say that for the first quarter, our real income growth rates will be at least 100%," said Andrei Kobyakov. "This is a task. We will expect that, probably, already in the second half of the year, we will achieve this breakthrough."
Answering a question about the fulfillment of the task set by the President to increase the average wage to Br1,000 this year, the Prime Minister noted that if all the positive trends felt in the economy are observed, there is a prospect of achieving this goal. It is important that the growth rates of labour productivity outpace the growth rates of wages. The head of state pays special attention to this. "Wage growth without labour productivity growth makes no sense," added Andrei Kobyakov. "After all, we are not talking about growth in order to report and, as they say, click our heels. The task for the management staff is to do this seriously, so that there is no shame later: we shot up, and then we fell again. Such a show is not needed by anyone. Therefore, the demand will be for a stable, verified, and progressive result."
Andrei Kobyakov also answered a question about employment within the framework of Decree No. 3. "The number of applicants is increasing, partly because jobs are being provided. However, it cannot be said that we must create a job for everyone where they could earn Br1,000. You know, in any case, with an average salary of Br1,000 in society, there will be types of work where salaries will be lower, and this work also needs to be done. Incidentally, this is one of the tasks of Decree No. 3. This is not about giving fish, but about giving everyone a fishing rod so they can go and catch as much fish as they are capable of and as much as they need," the Prime Minister concluded.