Duma raises minimum salary

The Russian State Duma adopted amendments to the law on the minimum salary on the second reading today. According to the document, beginning October 1, 2003, the minimum salary is to be increased from RUR 450 (about $14.52) to RUR 600 (about $19.37). Additionally, regional legislative authorities are granted the right to adopt laws, which would set a higher amount for the minimum salary in their regions, taking into account the opinion of the trilateral commission on settling social and labor relations of the corresponding level. The amount of the minimum salary in a region or a republic is set for all employers, which operate or are registered in this region or republic. A higher level of state guarantees in regions, connected with setting the minimum salary and triggering an increase in expenditures and decline in revenues, is provided for by resources of regional budgets.

The amendments were supported by 381 deputies; no one was against; one abstained.