VIDOVIĆ: SALARIES TO INCREASE BY ANOTHER FIVE PERCENT BY THE END OF THE YEAR

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 11 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Minister of Finance Zora Vidović has stated today that the Government has adopted the proposed budget revision for this year and that salaries will be increased by an additional five percent by the end of the year.

"The total amount to be paid out for salaries this year is BAM 1 billion and 526 million, which is 118.4 million more compared to the originally planned budget," Vidović said at a press conference following the Government session. She pointed out that the budget revision also includes an increase in funding for education and culture, for which BAM 825 million will be allocated, or 10.4 million more than originally planned. "This means there has been an increase in the allocation for textbooks for primary schools, as it has been decided to provide free textbooks for all primary school students in Republika Srpska," Vidović explained. According to her, BAM 31.2 million has also been allocated for one-time assistance payments to pensioners. "Pensioners whose average pensions are below the average level will receive BAM 120, while those with above-average pensions will receive BAM 80," Vidović added.