Vladimir Putin: "Prosperity of Russian families, well-being of people is key factor to our development"

UFA, 1 March 2018. /Bashinform News Agency, Galiya Nabieva/. During the delivering the Address to the Federal Assembly, the President of Russia determined the priorities of the country's development.

"What should be a priority for us? I repeat: I consider people's well-being, prosperity in Russian families as the main, key factor of our development", the head of state said.

Vladimir Putin recalled that in 2000 there were 42 million people below the poverty line, 29 percent of the country's population. In 2012, this level was reduced to 10 percent. Because of the consequences of the economic crisis, poverty has grown once again. Today, 20 million citizens are facing it. Certainly, this is not 42 million, as it was in 2000, but it is also unacceptably high. Even some people who are not unemployed live very modestly.

"For the first time in modern history, we managed to equate the minimum wage to the subsistence minimum. This regulation will be effective since May 1, 2018, which will positively affect the income of about four million people", Vladimir Putin said. "This is an important step, but not a fundamental solution of the problem. We should update seriously the employment structure, which currently is largely ineffective and archaic. We should give people a good job that motivates, brings prosperity, and allows them to realize their potential and to create modern, adequately paid jobs".

The President of the country has set one of the key tasks for the coming decade - to ensure a confident, long-term growth of real incomes of citizens, and in six years at least halve the poverty level.

"The whole system of social assistance should be based on the principles of justice and targeting. We talk about this a lot, but it must be done in the end. It should be received by citizens, families that really need it", the head of state stated.