OREANDA-NEWS The government proposes to increase the minimum wage in Russia from January 1, 2019 to 11 280 rubles, said Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova at a meeting of the RTC. Thus, the minimum wage will be equal to the subsistence minimum of the able-bodied population for the second quarter of this year.

"In a package with all budgets, a draft law on the establishment of a minimum wage is sent. As of January 1, 2019, the minimum wage will be set in the amount of 11,280 rubles per month, which is 100% of the subsistence minimum of the able — bodied population, established according to the methodology for the second quarter of the year preceding the financial one, that is, for the second quarter of 2018," Golikova said.

The draft Federal budget takes into account the annual increase of the minimum wage — from January 1, 2020 by 2.9% and from January 1, 2021 by 2%. "For these purposes, the budget planned funds in the amount of 62.2 billion rubles." — said Golikova.

To bring the minimum wage to the subsistence level was originally planned from January 1, 2019, but the authorities did it ahead of schedule: the change came into force on May, 1. Now the minimum wage should be set annually at the level of the subsistence minimum for the second quarter of the previous year or even higher (in cases where the subsistence minimum suddenly fell below the level of the previous year).

Golikova also recalled the changes in the size of unemployment benefits. "Since January 1, 2019, the minimum unemployment benefit increases from 850 to 1500 rubles, as for the maximum size, it increases from 4900 rubles to 8000 rubles," the Deputy Prime Minister said. For citizens of pre-retirement age unemployment benefit will be 11 280 rubles., she said. At the same time, from the amendments to the pension reform made by Putin, it follows that the period of unemployment benefits will be reduced for all citizens, except those who have five years left before retirement. Now the term of payment is one year, and if the amendments are adopted, it will be reduced to three to six months.