"Fringe Benefit for Three Bread Crusts. Don't Disgrace Yourselves!"

Belarusians reacted to fringe benefits to state workers established by the Ministry of Labour.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has established specific monthly fringe benefits at state-financed organisations. Benefits are valid since January 1, 2017. More information is available on the Ministry's website:

- 1-6 job evaluation - 8.6 rubles;

- 6-10 job evaluation - 8 rubles;

- 10-12 job evaluation - 7.5 rubles;

- 12-13 job evaluation - 7 rubles;

- 13-14 job evaluation -6.5 rubles;

- 14 job evaluation - 5.70 rubles.

Being inspired by these figures, Salidarnasts has decided to recall other figures that demonstrate "generosity" of the state.

Prices

According to the National Statistics Committee, in December 2016 year consumer price index amounted to 100.5% against November of the same year. In comparison with December 2015 prices rose by 10.6%. The price increase equaled to 11.8% in January-December 2016 against the same period in 2015.

Food prices increased by 10.4%. Non-food items rose by 9.4%.

Utilities

Prices for utilities maintain growth. This year Belarusians will cover 75% of utility costs, next year it will equal to 100%, the Ministry of Housing and Utilities says.

Real Income

According to the National Statistics Committee on the level of money income of the Belarusians, real incomes of people in Belarus decreased by 7.5% last January-November and amounted to 92.5% compared to the corresponding period of the year 2015.

"High Rise of State Workers"

Figures given by the Ministry of Labour are rated by participants of talks.by discussion platform, we present some points:

"Benefits for three more or less tasty loaves of bread. They'd better not disgrace themselves with these benefits."

"What kind of job is that requiring fringe benefits? Not to starve to death?"

"Ones are deprived of money, others get it - this is the economy."

"A bottle of kefir, a half loaf of bread."

"This is a high rise of state workers".

"In reality, our ministers are not worried about "labour relations" or "decent salary", but poor benefits, anti-national draft laws, permission to deprive debtors of homes, introduction of new toll roads, abolition of social benefits, retirement age increase and pension reduction."