The Russian State Duma has approved the increase of the Russian minimum monthly wage by 21 percent, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Tuesday.
Starting from July 1, the minimum monthly salary will be raised from the current 6,204 rubles ($96) to 7,500 rubles ($116).
The decision to boost wages was announced on March 25 by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev at a forum for the ruling United Russia party. He called for deputies to prepare and pass the bill as soon as possible.
Despite the increase, the monthly minimum remains significantly lower than the current subsistence wage, which was estimated by the Ministry of Labor earlier this year to be 9,452 rubles ($146).
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
