Belarus returns to manual price regulation

After short experiments, the Belarusian authorities have decided to continue socially oriented testing of the country and return to manual regulation of prices for basic foodstuffs and manufactured goods.

“We have free prices now, but we see what’s happening: manufactures produce goods at one price, but they are sold at twice as large prices. Who should earn – manufactures or middlemen? Unfortunately, this question was not solved in Belarus, so we have to return to regulated prices for some groups of foodstuffs and manufactured goods,” deputy PM Kalinin said yesterday.

According to him, price control is one of 41 measures in the social protection programme, which is expected to be approved by the authorities by the end of the year.

The programme provides for an increase in the first class wage rate and a significant minimum wage increase.

Besides, the Belarusian authorities have finally dared to allow legal employment in several places, AFN news agency informs.