02 June 2004 15:59
Russian government battling to deal with wage arrears, says minister
[Presenter] Duma deputies today heard a report from Russian Health and Social Reform Minister Mikhail Zurabov on
measures being taken by the government to solve the problem of salary arrears.
The immediate reason for the minister's appearance in the Duma was the situation at the Yeniseyskaya private
mine in the Republic of Khakassia.
According to the minister, public-sector salary arrears are being reduced and amount to around R650m. However, the
problem remains in the private sector, and legislative regulation is needed to solve it.
[Zurabov, speaking to journalist in Duma building] The legislation regulating administrative violations of the law is
far from being perfect. The state is using the legislation available to it, and the number of inspections and visits to
businesses to check up on labour rules is fairly considerable.
The number of organized protests has fallen, though, of course, the government and the State Duma recognize the
existence of these problems.
[Zurabov told the Duma today that the total amount of wage arrears in Russia as of 1 May this year was R24bn,
compared with the average figure for 2002-2003 of R30-35bn and the January figure of R28bn, ITAR-TASS news agency
reported at 0751 gmt.
Further ITAR-TASS reports (0845 and 0852 gmt) said that Zurabov reported a drop of more than R1.3bn in public-sector
wage arrears in April-May this year. He added that in May the government had forwarded R27bn to regions to help with
salary payments. He said a total of R88bn had been given to regions to even out the level of budgetary provision.
Zurabov said that 74 of the 89 parts of the Russian Federation do not have wage arrears, the agency reported. Zurabov
said up to 8,000 legal cases had been brought by miners last year over pay arrears. Zurabov explained that only some of
the suits were satisfied because of the rules of precedence in paying creditors.
[RTR Russia TV] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
