Transnistria's Draft 2009 Budget provides for $705m income

The Ministry of Finance of the unrecognized Transnistrian Republic submitted to the cabinet for consideration the draft 2009 Budget, which provides for incomes of $705 million and expenditures of $882 million, Info-Prim Neo's field correspondent reports. Transnistria's self-styled speaker Yevgeni Shevchuk stated that the financial status of the public sector employees has considerably worsened in the last three years. Skilled specialists are quiting their jobs, and it's especially true for doctors and teachers. To stop the phenomenon, the authorities are planning to raise their monthly salaries from $120 to $500 sometime in the future. According to the draft budget, this year public sector employers could enjoy a 28 percent raise, as inflation is forecast to reach 16 percent and utilities are expected to rise by 25 to 30 percent. A threefold raise is planned only for the highly skilled specialists – approximately 1 percent of the total employees.