On August 14 there went on strike the workers of the Bobruisk footwear factory. They demanded payment of debts, which accumulated since April, and the financial revision of their company. The employees wondered who led their factory to such a critical state. Many workers are sent off to involuntary holiday leaves. Some of them are paid two thirds of a salary. A few hours after the start of a spontaneous action of protest they found the money. The workers were paid salaries for April and May. The municipal authorities pledge that shortly the problem will be resolved. The head of the administration of Leninsky district of Bobruisk said that he would take the salary payment issue under personal control.

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Almost one fifth of the population of Gomel region is dwelling beyond the poverty line. These are the data of the Gomel regional statistics department, which analyzed the May salaries of over half-million of employed people. The poverty live in that period was estimated at the level of 102thsd Belarusian rubles (around $49). According to the statistical department, around 18% of the region’s workers couldn’t even receive this money. The situation is even worse in the village. There the salary below 102thsd rubles was paid to around 50% villagers.

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Average salary of the budget sphere workers in Belarus by the end of the year 2004, according to the draft budget project, must constitute in equivalent $145. “In this connection the level of expenditures for the payment of salaries, pensions and social allowances in GDP will rise by 1,5%, in the consolidated budget structure – by 8%”, - said the chairman of the commission for budget, finances and tax inspection of the House of representatives of the National Assembly Sergei Kiselev.

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