The Russian government will consider hiking state employees' monthly wages as well as student stipends and military benefits, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said during his annual address to State Duma on Tuesday.
"We, as we have pledged, will consider the issue of raising state employees' monthly wages, servicemen's benefits, military pensions, and student stipends. We will do this later this fall, taking into account the budget situation," Putin said.
State employees comprising teachers, doctors and other state-employed workers make up a large part of the Russian workforce.
Putin made his annual address on the government's work for 2009 to the lower house of the Russian parliament in line with the Russian Constitution, which states the government is obliged to deliver annual reports to the State Duma.
The report includes answers to questions submitted beforehand by State Duma political factions. Last year, the lawmakers showed interest in the growth of utility prices, support of the economy's real sector, housing problems and implementation of social programs.
MOSCOW, April 20 (RIA Novosti)
