On December 1, the average pension payment will be increased by 5%. Belsat TV has asked people on the streets of Minsk whether they consider the rise to be significant.
“I consider it as a mockery of me. It does not even amount to 10 Belarusian rubles,” said a pensioner.
“Taking into account how much everything costs these days, such rise is nothing. Utility costs are growing up from day to day! We buy the cheapest goods; we сannot afford to go to the theatre and are always in pursuit of discounts and sales,” another woman said.
“This rise is enough to buy only bread and milk. It will not cover the costs of medicines – as a hypertensive patient, I know prices well. It’s not enough.”
‘Let it be! Money is never too much!’
‘Prices are rising more rapidly than pensions!’
‘No, this increase means nothing, it is an empty gesture. I am afraid to think about our future.’
After the increase, an average Belarusian pensioner will get BYN 14 (appr. $7) more than in November.
