Parliament Approves Increase of Minimal Salary

(Tbilisi, May 7, 2003. Civil Georgia) – The Parliament’s plenary session voted for amendments to the Labor Code. 103 members of the Parliament supported increase of the minimal salary to 35 Laris (instead of 115, as demanded by the United Democrats).

The United Democrats went against the decision, demanding announcement of names of every MP, who has voted for the decision.

“By adopting this decision, the Parliament confirmed that it does not care about people and does noting for their welfare”  – said Giorgi Baramidze of the United Democrats.

Mikheil Machavariani, member of the same faction, said that the salaries could not be increased even to 35 Laris this year, for there is no relevant decree of the President.

Vitali Khazaradze, representative of the Citizens Union faction, responded to the statement, saying that President will issue a decree, regarding increase of the minimal salary from 20 to 35 Laris on May 8, which would also require amendments to the Law on Budget.

The draft law on increase of the minimal salary to 115 Laris was first submitted by the United Democrats and supported by the Parliament. However, the document was vetoed by President, claiming that instant increase of the salary would be impossible and suggested gradual increase. However, as the United Democrats claim, their calculations indicate that instant increase is quite possible.

The project, suggested by the President considers increase of the minimal salary to 60 Lari for year 2004 and to 110 Lari in year 2005.

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