On January 16, Minsk /Elena Prus - BELTA/. In Belarus, it is estimated that labour pensions will be increased by an average of 20% in February as a result of recalculation. This was announced to a BELTA correspondent by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection, Marianna Shchetkina, commenting on Decree No. 35 "On Pension Increases". The Decree establishes that recalculations of labour pensions in connection with the growth of the average wage of employees in the republic in 2012 will be carried out quarterly. Thus, the recalculation from February 1 will be made based on the average wage of employees in the republic for the IV quarter of 2011. "According to estimates, as a result of the recalculation, pensions will be increased by an average of 20%," said the minister. "The specific amount of the average wage of employees for the IV quarter of 2011 will be known after January 20." From May 1, pensions will be recalculated based on the average wage of employees in the republic for the I quarter, from August 1 - based on the average wage of employees in the republic for the II quarter, from November 1 - based on the average wage of employees in the republic for the III quarter. "The growth of pensions as a result of recalculations will depend on the growth of the average wage of employees, and for each pensioner, it will also depend on the individual parameters of their work experience, earnings, and other data recorded in their pension file (including the eligibility for supplements and increases to the pension)," emphasized Marianna Shchetkina. She noted that the additional expenses of the Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection for recalculating labour pensions this year will amount to Br9.8 trillion. -0-

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