On July 26, Minsk /BelTA/. Labour and social pensions in Belarus will be increased from August 1. The corresponding Decree No. 327 "On increasing pensions and amending Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus of October 23, 2010 No. 544" was signed by the Head of State Alexander Lukashenko on July 26, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. The Decree provides for the recalculation of labour pensions in August and November 2011, as well as an increase in the amounts of social pensions. From August 1, labour pensions will be recalculated based on the average salary of employees for the II quarter of 2011. As a result of the recalculation, pensions will increase on average by 13% - from Br669 thousand to Br757 thousand. Also from August 1, the amounts of social pensions will be increased: for Group I disabled persons (including disabled persons since childhood) - from 85% to 100% of the subsistence minimum budget (SMB); for Group II disabled persons since childhood - from 75% to 95% of SMB; for Group II disabled persons, children in case of breadwinner's death per child - from 65% to 85% of SMB; for Group III disabled persons (including disabled persons since childhood) - from 55% to 75% of SMB; for disabled children under 18 years of age with degree of health loss: first degree - from 60% to 80% of SMB, second degree - from 65% to 85% of SMB, third degree - from 75% to 95% of SMB, fourth degree - from 85% to 110% of SMB. From November 1, 2011, labour pensions will be recalculated based on the average salary of employees for the III quarter of the current year. As a result of the recalculation, pensions will increase on average by 7.9% - from Br757 thousand to Br817 thousand. Additional expenses for the payment of labour and social pensions from August 1 will amount to Br220.6 billion, and from November 1 - Br370.6 billion per month. In total, Br1.4 trillion will be required to implement the said measures. The Social Protection Fund of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has the necessary financial resources. -0-

BelTA