PM says Government provided social standards growth by 16.1% in 2016

The Government, having raised welfare standards twofold in 2016, ensured their growth by 16.1%. This was stated by Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Groysman in his opening statement at the Government meeting on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister noted that tomorrow, December 1, under the Government’s ordinance and amendments to the laws supported by the Parliament, there will be enhanced minimum social standards by a little over 10%. From January 1, 2017, the minimum wage will grow twofold – up to UAH 3200.

"We believe that this is only the first step giving ground for us to change people's lives. Our task - the Government has set to itself - is to develop the national economy, and everything we have earned to give to people", stressed the Head of Government.

The growth of the subsistence minimum from December 1 as compared to May for the employed persons will make up about UAH 150, for children aged 6 to 18 – UAH 158, for persons who lost their working capacity – UAH 117, explained Volodymyr Groysman.

From 1 December 2016, the minimum wage that now equals UAH 1450 will be UAH 1600 UAH, and from 1 January it will be doubled – up to 3200 UAH. Fixed official salary of I tariff category of unified tariff system from December 1 will make up UAH 1335, and from January 1 – UAH 1600.

Speaking about an increase of sizes of official salaries of educationalists, Volodymyr Groysman noted that wage growth in December will be from UAH 260 to UAH 450, in January it will be about 50% against the showings of 2016.

As for raising salaries for healthcare sector in December, the salary of nurses will grow by UAH 246, of therapist of I qualifying category – by UAH 318, of surgeon of the highest category – by UAH 363. From January 1, salaries of medical workers will grow by approximately 30%.

Moreover, by UAH 117 on average there will be raised the minimum pension in December.

"In fact, we have planned such improvement for all categories of citizens. This increase applies to a wide amount of people and requires substantial financial resource, but we have found an opportunity while this is a small step, but we’ll make it", said the Prime Minister.

The Government will provide compensatory mechanisms in the shape of subsidies for payment for housing and communal services for low income families. After the aforesaid increases in December these profits will be ‘clear’ as for the housing and communal services the citizens receiving subsidies won’t pay more in December, said the Head of Government.

"I wish this year enter the history of our country as a year when stabilization has occurred, the month in which economic growth has been restored and a period in which we can admit that the worst was left behind while growth and positive change are ahead. It is important to ensure people could feel it, not just because we said the statistics were changing but because the quality of life is improving. We devote the work of our Government to it," stressed Volodymyr Groysman.