At a widened session of the executive board of the Russian Ministry of Labor, Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova outlined a clear plan for how the national minimum wage will move upward more rapidly in the coming years. The briefing, carried by TASS, underscored a policy choice that received backing from the highest levels of government, including the President and the Prime Minister. The central message was straightforward: the minimum wage will rise at a faster pace in every subsequent year, ensuring stronger income support for workers across the country.
The deputy prime minister emphasized that this acceleration in the minimum wage is not a one-off adjustment. It is part of a broader fiscal and social strategy designed to lift earnings and reduce poverty over time. In addition to wage growth, Golikova mentioned the creation of a comprehensive register of citizens in need. The goal is to have this registry operational within the current year, with a planned launch in early 2024. She noted that the timeline has been extended because the system depends on the establishment of several supporting institutions that must be put in place first, ensuring the registry can function reliably and deliver targeted assistance to those most in need.
Golikova also provided regional indicators to illustrate the challenges still facing Russia in reducing poverty. By the end of 2022, poverty rates had risen in four regions: Khakassia, Ingushetia, Adygea, and Tyva. These figures reflect localized economic pressures and highlight the ongoing effort required at both federal and regional levels to ensure that social protection measures reach the households most affected.
Further, the deputy prime minister pointed to nine regions that did not meet the target indicators set by the government. The list of underperforming regions included the Republics of Khakassia and Ingushetia, Karachay-Cherkessia, Adygea, Kalmykia, North Ossetia-Alania, the Komi Republic, the Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and the Orenburg Region. The divergence from targeted outcomes signals the need for tailored regional approaches and continued monitoring to adjust programs and funding streams accordingly, ensuring that the anti-poverty initiatives stay on track across diverse local contexts.
In a separate note from April, Golikova recalled concerns raised about public sector employment terms. Specific medical facilities were reported to publish vacancies with salaries that fell below the official minimum wage, an issue that attracted strong criticism. She called such practices unacceptable and indicated that the government would continue to monitor labor market postings to prevent salary levels from being misrepresented or undervalued. This remark underscored the administration’s commitment to transparent compensation standards in the healthcare system and across the public sector, reinforcing the broader objective of improving living standards for workers while maintaining fair labor practices.