3 June, Rogachev /Valery Sidorchik - BELTA/. A decision on increasing the first-category tariff rate will be made in the near future. This was announced to a BELTA correspondent today in Rogachev by the Minister of Labour and Social Protection of Belarus, Marianna Shchetkina. She is participating in a seminar-meeting on the implementation of tasks for the development of small and medium-sized urban settlements in the Gomel region. According to the minister, the tariff rate will be increased as soon as the state's financial capabilities allow. The interlocutor did not name a possible date for this decision, but noted: "The decision will be made, as we understand that it is impossible to fulfil the task of increasing wages in the public sector without increasing the tariff rate." By the end of the year, Belarus has set a target to reach a wage level of $500 equivalent, including $405 in the public sector.-0-

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