DUSHANBE, August 15, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Beginning on January 1, 2013, the minimum wage in Tajikistan will be raised from 80.00 to 200.00 somoni – 2.5 times rise.

On Monday August 13, President Emomali Rahmon signed a decree on measures aimed at strengthening the level of population''s social security and increasing the minimum wage, public sector wage, pensions and allowances [scholarships].

The minimum monthly wage in all sectors of the country''s economy is to be set at 200.00 somoni from January 1, 2013.

By president’s decree wages of teachers at high schools and kindergarten teachers as well as employees of centers fro elderly people and persons with disabilities will rise 60 percent.

Wages for scientific research institutes and higher educational institutions are to be raised by 30 percent.

Wages for sports schools, vocational technical schools, colleges and advanced training centers as well as social protection facilities such as health resorts and departments for home social care are to be raised by 40 percent.

Wages for employees of cultural facilities are to be raised by 50 percent and wages for the health sector are to be raised by 40 percent.

The rates of minimum and maximum monthly retirement pensions are to be raised by 30 percent – from 80.00 to 104.00 somoni and from 400.00 to 520.00 somoni respectively.     

The current allowances [scholarships] for students and post-graduate students are to be
increased by 50 percent from January 1, 2013.