Vladimir Putin instructed to equate minimum wage and subsistence level

UFA, 12 September 2017. /Bashinform News Agency, Galiya Nabieva/. The Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested increasing the minimum wage from the current 71–72 percent to at least 85 percent of the subsistence level on January 1, 2018. The head of the state held a meeting with Government members.

“The minimum wage must be made equal to the subsistence level by January 1, 2019, or even sooner if the Government decides that we can do it. I ask the Government to submit proposals to this effect to the State Duma together with the draft federal budget for the next three years”, the President gave instructions.

Vladimir Putin stressed that it is necessary to solve a fundamental task - to increase the minimum wage to the subsistence level at the least, to balance the minimum wage and the subsistence level and overcome the situation where one’s wage is not enough to cover the basic necessities.

“I am aware of the discussion that is going on in the Government, and I understand my colleagues who are protecting their different views, because the measures we are considering will result in additional spending by the government and also by businesses. However, I believe that it is very important to do this, and that we must do this as soon as possible but in keeping with our budget’s parameters”, Vladimir Putin said.