MINSK, 3 May (BelTA) – Salaries should reach $500 by the end of 2012, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he heard out a report from Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus (FTUB) Leonid Kozik on 3 May. The press service of the Belarusian head of state quoted Alexander Lukashenko as saying: “I am starting to believe that some executives are hiding behind what the president has said: higher salaries for harder work. It is correct but after that heads of enterprises should come to understand they have to work hard to increase the productivity of labor and hence salaries”. “We have to reach $500 by the end of the year as we have agreed. Therefore, executives should be pushed to do it already. Otherwise, many shrug their shoulders saying they cannot give salaries if labor productivity is poor. Do we need such managers?” wondered the head of state. He remarked he would like to hear out the point of view of the Chairman of the Federation of Trade Unions regarding what heads of trade union organizations do about it, particularly those in primary organizations. “I would like to learn your point of view on what we have to do here, what dangers you see since trade unions are closer to the people and are in their midst,” said the President. Alexander Lukashenko remarked the meeting is traditionally held in the time of May holidays. He congratulated Leonid Kozik and Belarusian citizens on the Labor Day. “Instead of arranging street processions I am inclining towards arranging May Day meetings somewhere in parks as it was originally intended, towards arranging recreation, opportunities for families to get together,” said Alexander Lukashenko. Alexander Lukashenko told Leonid Kozik he would like to know about problems in the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. “I would like to know how our main organization and in essence the only popular trade union organization operates, primarily what problems you face. I would like to take part in resolving those problems. Tell me what places the president should visit in the first place in order to get familiar with the situation,” said the head of state. “So, a whole set of questions I would like to see from the point of view of trade unions,” summarized the President. Leonid Kozik informed the head of state about how trade unions work, what people are concerned about, how the 1 May rally went, about people’s mood. The FTUB Chairman said: “Trade unions are concerned about the fact that prices grow faster than incomes. It is wrong because there are people with low incomes and the Federation will always look negatively at such decisions of the government. I think it is understandable for everyone, who earn salaries and go to shops. The government cannot hide itself behind some total price liberalization ideas,” remarked Leonid Kozik. The President was informed about preparations for the children’s summer recreation season. According to Leonid Kozik, this year over 400,000 kids will be able to enjoy their stay in summer camps, with about 180,000 kids to go to countryside summer camps. All the summer camps are ready to welcome school students. This year discounts on sanatorium vouchers for FTUB members have been raised from 15% to 20%. The head of state was also informed about other matters relating to the operation of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. The President confirmed that the Federation should continue working to help troubled families with kids, to improve labor safety and frugality approaches among other things.

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