DUSHANBE, April 24, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- In an annual address to parliament, President Emomali Rahmon noted on April 24 that with the aim of improving the population’s living standards he had ordered the government to take measures to raise the minimum wage, public sector wages and pensions by 30 percent beginning on July 1 this year.

He also ordered to submit proposals on a 15 percent rise in public sector wages and pensions beginning non October 1, 2010.    

“Social spending accounts for more than 50 percent of this year’s budget allocations,” said Rahmon, “The national budget for 2010 earmarked 3.2 billion somoni for social spending and pensions, which is 27 percent more than last year.”

The president added that the national budget for this year projected expenditure of 13 million somoni for social protection of the vulnerable sections of the population.