Vucic: We have problems, nurses are leaving

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said that Serbia has problems with the outflow of labour force and low birth rates.

„We have problems, nurses are leaving,“ Vucic told TV Pink, stressing that many other countries had similar problems and that that was not so pronounced in our country, but that it was a problem.

„I spoke with the president of Estonia and she told me, they would start to return when the salary reached 1,000 euros. We are not close to it, we will need years,“ Vucic said, adding that in the towns in Serbia where the standard was the highest birth rates were the lowest.

Talking about the increase in average salary, Vucic said that this year was one of the most successful, claiming that average salaries had risen from 331 euros seven years ago to 423 euros, which was a 26 percent increase.

„We expect 445 euros in December, which is about 30 percent more, and in March, owing to the growth in salaries in the public sector and rise in minimum wage by 8.6 percent, the average salary will be 465 euros. This is a serious increase of over 35 percent. Is it enough? It is not. We said that we hoped that the salary would be 500 euros, this is 35 euros less but it will be 35 percent more than it was,“ he said.

He recalled that the minimum wage in 2011 amounted to 161 euros and it was now 228 euros.

„I expect it to be increased further, it should be even higher, we should aim at minimum wage being 250 euros next year. Pensions are increased to 227 euros on average, and they will be higher if the economy progresses and if we have additional investments,“ Vucic said.

Izvor: B92/TV Pink

Foto: Beta