The Committee on Social Policy and Labour held a Seminar "Living Wage in the System of State Social Standards"
18 November 2009, 17:42
The
People´s Deputies, academics, representatives of central authority
bodies, employers´ organizations, trade unions and public organizations
attended the seminar.
Oleksandr Stoyan, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Social Security, Social Guarantees, Living Standard and Repayment of Savings, reminded about the evolution of the living wage as a basic social standard. The Verkhovna Rada adopted the living wage on 15 July 1999 by the Law "On Living Wage".
O.Stoyan also stated that it is the basket of goods that lies in the basis of the living wage. "The basket of goods fixed for 1992 is still effective. However, it fails to correspond to the actual situation, - stated the People´s Deputy, - since it disregards vital human needs".
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee stated that the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy announced the rate of living wage on a monthly basis. As of September 2009, it totaled UAH 782,4 in average, but on 1 November 2009 it was reduced almost by UAH 100, totaling UAH 685,2.
The Chairman of the Sub-Committee deems necessary to revise the rate of the living wage to meet the actual demands. He also deems necessary to harmonize the rate of a minimum wage and other social payments with the rate of a living wage.
The attendants of the seminar discussed effectiveness of the system of social standards on the basis of a living wage.
The attendants of the seminar deem necessary to include a new set of goods and services in accordance with modern demands and effective legislation in compliance with the Law "On the Living Wage".