Events

MINSK, 5 February (BelTA) - On the instruction of the head of state Belarusian Premier Mikhail Myasnikovich presented state awards to distinguished people of the country on 5 February, BelTA has learnt.

The list of awardees includes 67 people. They come from various branches of economy, namely industry, healthcare, customs service, education, science and culture. They have been honored in recongition of years of fruitful labor, exemplary discharge of their duties, remarkable professional skills and high achievements in machine building and light industry, efforts in the improvement of tax system and the implementation of state information policy, considerable personal contribution to the development of communication facilities, education, culture, art and sport.

Mikhail Myasnikovich said he is pleased with the fact that representatives of all branches of economy are present at such meetings. These are people involved in material production and also people of art who do much for spiritual enrichment of the Belarusian society and make this country, its culture and talented people famous far beyond Belarus’ borders. As far as the awards are concerned, Mikhail Myasnikovich underlined: “The state award is not a mere recognition of your labor and dedication. It also obliges you to be a role model for others and step up your efforts in the future.”

Although the awardees represent different branches of economy, the Premier said their labor is equally important for the economy because they work for a common cause. “Our nation is strong when it is united. We have succeeded in achieving this unity,” stated Mikhail Myasnikovich. He also added: “We will continue to support those whose work is connected with material production and people of art.” Everyone will get support because the government gives special attention to social protection, the Prime Minister said.

The Premier also touched upon the issues of effectiveness, both of the economy in general and of each worker in particular. “Out of almost 10 million Belarusian citizens, slightly over 2.5 million are involved in material production, while a bit more than 2 million provide social services. Further 2.5 million are pensioners and roughly as many are students and the youth. Thus we have to count every ruble. The major thing is to use budgetary resources effectively. Be it a worker or an organization, they should use all resources efficiently. No matter whether this is state money or funds of a company, this are our, Belarusian, money and our property,” stressed Mikhail Myasnikovich.

The issue of salary is also in the limelight these days which is why the Prime Minister revisited it again at the ceremony saying that “ every salary should be earned.” He noted: “We have never set any specific projections concerning salaries. Conversely, we should look at its purchasing power. If we take into account parity it turns out that we do not live worse than people in the Russian Federation and even slightly better than those in Ukraine. We are somewhere in the middle in comparison with Eastern European countries.”

Having presented the awards Mikhail Myasnikovich wished the awardees health, further successes in their work, happiness and wellbeing.