Public sector salaries, pensions to go up 0.5%

BELGRADE Representatives of the political parties of Serbia's ruling coalition agreed on Tuesday on the method to increase salaries and pensions by the end of 2014. This was announced by the government's media relations office. Public sector salaries, pensions to go up 0.5% According to a conclusion from their previous meeting, there will be no freezing or reduction in salaries and pensions, and their further growth in 2014 "will follow the growth in economic activity." B92 has learned that public sector salaries and pensions will be increased by 0.5 percent in October. This will be followed by "a plan of rationalization in the public sector", which will be prepared by this fall, and implemented next year. The officials agreed on an action plan for the rationalization of public administration and public enterprises, and on principled elements of a comprehensive structural reform that will be implemented by the end of this year, Tanjug quoted the government press release. The details of the economic measures program will be coordinated on Sunday, June 16, after which the program should be adopted, it has been announced. Talks on a package of measures to reduce the minus in the state budget and improve business conditions had resumed this morning at the government HQ. The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Ivica Dacic, his first deputy Aleksandar Vucic, Minister of Finance and Economy Mladjan Dinkic, and Labor Minister Jovan Krkobabic. NBS Governor Jorgovanka Tabakovic was also present. The government officials were reminded of the urgency of the situation by the increasingly weaker national currency, but also NBS Governor Jorgovanka Tabakovic and the business community, who have repeatedly said that there was "no more time to wait." The governor still continues to seek urgent decisions, but not "easy measures" such as a reduction of salaries and pensions, which would stop consumption. At the last meeting three days ago, it was agreed that salaries and pensions will not be reduced, and it is expected that members of the ruling coalition will now make a few steps forward, the public broadcaster RTS reported earlier today. The media outlet added that an agreement is expected today on specific measures that will achieve savings of RSD 40 billion, itemized for each ministry, as well as the defining of priorities when it comes to companies undergoing restructuring, and which subsidies will be reduced and by how much. RTS has learned that there was agreement regarding amendments to the Labor Law, which would allow for "easier hiring and firing" and streamlined issuing of construction permits. Members of the ruling coalition did not agree on the reform of the pension system, as well as whether and when to sell Telekom, and "what to do with the money from the sale." (Tanjug, file) B92 RTS

Public sector salaries, pensions to go up 0.5%

According to a conclusion from their previous meeting, there will be no freezing or reduction in salaries and pensions, and their further growth in 2014 "will follow the growth in economic activity."

B92 has learned that public sector salaries and pensions will be increased by 0.5 percent in October. This will be followed by "a plan of rationalization in the public sector", which will be prepared by this fall, and implemented next year.

The officials agreed on an action plan for the rationalization of public administration and public enterprises, and on principled elements of a comprehensive structural reform that will be implemented by the end of this year, Tanjug quoted the government press release.

The details of the economic measures program will be coordinated on Sunday, June 16, after which the program should be adopted, it has been announced.

Talks on a package of measures to reduce the minus in the state budget and improve business conditions had resumed this morning at the government HQ.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Ivica Dačić, his first deputy Aleksandar Vučić, Minister of Finance and Economy Mlađan Dinkić, and Labor Minister Jovan Krkobabić. NBS Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković was also present.

The government officials were reminded of the urgency of the situation by the increasingly weaker national currency, but also NBS Governor Jorgovanka Tabaković and the business community, who have repeatedly said that there was "no more time to wait."

The governor still continues to seek urgent decisions, but not "easy measures" such as a reduction of salaries and pensions, which would stop consumption.

At the last meeting three days ago, it was agreed that salaries and pensions will not be reduced, and it is expected that members of the ruling coalition will now make a few steps forward, the public broadcaster RTS reported earlier today.

The media outlet added that an agreement is expected today on specific measures that will achieve savings of RSD 40 billion, itemized for each ministry, as well as the defining of priorities when it comes to companies undergoing restructuring, and which subsidies will be reduced and by how much.

RTS has learned that there was agreement regarding amendments to the Labor Law, which would allow for "easier hiring and firing" and streamlined issuing of construction permits.

Members of the ruling coalition did not agree on the reform of the pension system, as well as whether and when to sell Telekom, and "what to do with the money from the sale."