17 June 2004 16:42
Russian welfare minister calls for more funding to combat poverty
Moscow, 17 June: Health and Social Development Minister Mikhail Zurabov is urging the government "to overcome
the stalemate" when it comes to financing the battle against poverty. He said that a particular focus must be
families with children. "Poverty in Russia has begun to acquire a child's face," Zurabov told a Russian
government sitting, looking at advance planning of the country's economic development and budget process.
He said the number of poor people could reach 29.3m by 2007, halving the level of poverty. Up to 14m of the poor,
however, Zurabov stressed, are public-sector employees, "families with two or more children or people in the
military".
Although public-sector pay is set to rise considerably by 2007, an alarming feature and negative trend, in the
minister's view, is that "the incomes that are growing are primarily those of citizens who are already above
the poverty line".
Moreover, Zurabov pointed out that growth in wages and pensions is out of step. Wages are rising at a considerably
higher rate, he said.
[ITAR-TASS news agency] |
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