TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, Oct. 2—Inflation in Uzbekistan has become both a permanent phenomenon and a predictable cyclical recurrence, writes the Internet site Fergana.ru. While “creeping” price increases occur continuously, twice a year an especially strong surge occurs when within a month, the cost of goods and services increases by 10 to 20 percent or more. The cause is the so-called “presidential” increase in wages, pensions, allowances and social benefits, which are also usually between 15 and 20 percent.
This year, such increases occurred in April, following a raise in wages to government employees and pensions of 12 percent and in September of 20 percent for a total of 34 percent over the first ten months of 2008. The minimum wage increased from 18,630 to 25,040 sum, and the level of minimum pension and benefits to invalids from childhood increased from 36,900 to 49,600 sum during that period.
Simultaneously with these increases prices headed upwards. On October 1, tariffs on central heating and hot water increased 15 percent and the cost for housing services went up 10 percent.
At the beginning of the year, a litre of 95 octane-rated petrol cost $1.00 [USD]. Today it is $2.10, and 98 octane-rated petrol now costs $2.20.
Prices for food, public transportation and public services increased by similar rates.
The long-standing history of observations of the jumps in inflation in Uzbekistan attest to the fact that each increase in wages and social benefits is used by authorities as a pretext for an increase in tariffs, tax and customs rates, prices for petrol and other types of solely-supplied goods and services.
source: centralasiaonline.com
No comments:
Post a Comment