Over January-May 2008 the average monthly salary of a Moldovan employee was 2,370 lei, increasing by 27 percent from the similar period last year, the National Statistics Bureau said, cited by Info-Prim Neo. In real terms, the average monthly salary rose by 10 percent. In the government-funded sector, the average salary was 1,862 lei, while in the so-called real sector 2,639 lei. The average pay of an employee in May 2008 was 2,537 lei, by 24 percent more than in May 2007. In the government-funded sector it amounted to 2,049 lei and in the real sector to 2,789 lei. The best paid employees are still those engaged in financial activities – around 5,330 lei; in the energy sector and water provision – 4,192 lei; and in transport and communication – 3,488 lei. The worst paid workers are those employed in agriculture, forestry and hunting – 1,149 lei; in fish farming – 1,252 lei; education – 1,633 lei; and cultural activities and sports – 1,627 lei. Consumer prices rose by 7.4 percent from the beginning of this year. In May, the average consumer prices rose by 1.5 percent on the previous month.