“House of representatives” against raising minimum wage

MPs think a sum of $170 is enough for a family of four.

The commission on labour and social issues of the “house of representatives” answered the residents of Baranavichy, who asked to propose a bill raising the minimum wage. Commission head Uladzimir Vasilenka wrote in a letter that “the size of the current minimum wage is optimal for the current economic situation. It provides a high level of employment in the labour market and, through the indexation mechanism, partially covers the losses of low-paid workers caused by the inflation rate.”

The MP said the minimum wage since January 1, 2014, was 1,660,000 rubles, or 100,04% of the minimum consumer budget for a family of four at the beginning of 2013, Radio Svaboda reports.

Uladzimir Vasilenka says: “The proposal on increasing salaries cannot be supported.”

A petition signed by more than 140 residents of Baranavichy was sent to the parliament by activist Ryhor Hryk. The people asked to initiate a law to set the minimum wage at 3 million rubles and the minimum pension at 2.5 million rubles with the indexation according to the growth of prices for goods and services.”

Baranavichy residents wrote in the petition that “the current level of the minimum wage doesn't correspond the real living standards. As a result, employees' salaries remain frozen while prices are constantly growing.”