On December 20, Belarus president Alyaksandr Lukashenka held a meeting with Minsk authorities. Belsat.eu has picked out the most interesting moments of the event.
Salary rise
According to him, it is essential to raise salaries of low-paid workers in Minsk.
“Twenty percent of Minsk residents still earn less than Br400 per month. Therefore, it is also essential to raise salaries of low-paid workers in Minsk. All the more so as the prices for goods and services in Minsk are the highest in the country.”
Discounts in malls
There are about 12,000 retail outlets, 3,000 public catering facilities and 98 trade centers in Minsk. The shopping floor has increased almost three times in the past 12 years, Lukashenka stressed.
“There are no real discounts still, or they are symbolic. Western European shopping is more attractive for Minsk people,” he said and called on the authorities to step up efforts to encourage local residents to buy more in Minsk.
Satellite towns
In his opinion, the progress in the implementation of the program to develop Minsk satellite towns is too small. Lukashenka recalled the decision which was made several years ago to move the pivotal points of the Minsk agglomeration to the satellite towns of Dzyarzhynsk, Zaslaul, Lahoysk, Smalyavichy, Fanipal and Rudzensk.
“However, only one house has been commissioned in Smolevichi since 2012.”
Barrier-free
As there are more than 125,000 disabled people, or almost one fourth of the country’s number, in Minsk, the city should be a standard of barrier-free environment at all facilities.
“At present only 36% of buildings, even those of municipal ownership, are accessible for disabled people … First of all, the state should take care of people with special needs”.
“However, the best way is to plan the city environment in a way to avoid artificial barriers.”
No to plastic packaging
According to the Belarusian leader, it is necessary to cut down on plastic packaging consumption step by step, as it is detrimental to the environment.
“We need to minimize the use of polyethylene, at least for bottled water, to begin with. We have enough glass production capacities. We should not destroy people’s health. I am convinced that big and small bosses have their water in glass bottles. It is a global trend to replace polyethylene with eco-friendly packaging. This is a task for you.”
belsat.eu, via Belta
