Belarus to consider agreement with Uzbekistan on temporary employment of Uzbek citizens

Information regarding the 8th Departmental Wage Committee is extremely important for central government employees and pensioners. Representatives of workers and pensioners presented the committee with a complete list of their demands. These demands go beyond a simple salary increase and include requests to restore the old pension system, ensure unimpeded medical care, support children's education, raise salaries without promotion, and improve several previous benefits related to pensions and risk allowances.

These demands may affect approximately 4.5 million employees and 6.8 million pensioners. The National Consultative Machine of the Joint Advisory Body (NC-JCM) plays a key role in conveying these demands to the government. This structure serves as a platform for dialogue between the government and workers, where issues such as wages, allowances, pensions, and working conditions are discussed. Currently, T.V. Somanantan's cabinet secretary chairs this council.

About six months ago, the government initiated the work process of the 8th Central Departmental Wage Committee. Since then, the committee has held meetings with various organizations of central employees and pensioners in different cities. At these meetings, numerous trade unions and pensioner organizations presented their proposals and demands to the committee. Although a final decision on these demands has not yet been made, adopting some of them could lead to significant changes in salaries, allowances, and post-retirement benefits for employees.

One of the most significant demands from the trade unions is the reintroduction of the old pension scheme (OPS). This demand is particularly relevant for employees who began state service after 2004 and are currently under the new National Pension System (NPS). In the NPS, contributions are made by both the employee and the government. Trade unions insist on returning to the old pension system, which provided a fixed pension upon retirement. In other words, the employees' side wants to make retirement more secure and guaranteed.

A request was also made for convenient and cashless medical care for employees and pensioners. This means that an employee or pensioner would not have to initially spend significant funds out of pocket for treatment; the cost of treatment should be paid directly through the relevant system. This requirement is especially important for pensioners, as medical expenses can constantly rise after retirement. Trade unions emphasized the need to make healthcare more accessible and comprehensive.

The workers' side also demanded increased benefits related to children's education. It was proposed to expand educational allowances and living subsidies up to the postgraduate level. This means that the scope of these benefits should be extended to higher education, exceeding current levels. This could ease the situation for employees whose children study for a long time.

Trade unions demanded improvements to conditions related to death benefits upon retirement, family pensions, and a lump-sum portion of the pension. The lump-sum portion is the amount a pensioner can take immediately in exchange for some reduction in their monthly pension. The workers' side wants the old provisions regarding the restoration of this reduced portion after 12 years to be implemented more effectively.

In the 8th Departmental Wage Committee, trade unions also demanded a change in the method of determining the minimum wage. Employee representatives proposed increasing the criterion defining family expenses from 3 to 3.6 units. Simply put, this means that when determining the minimum wage, greater attention should be paid to the needs and expenses of the family. This could directly impact the starting salary level. This proposal is based on the report of the Ministry of Labor's expert commission.

Many employees have struggled for a long time to receive a promotion. For such employees, a financial increase is provided at a specified time within the Modified Guaranteed Career Progression Scheme (MACPS). Trade unions demand the elimination of inconsistencies in this scheme. Furthermore, it was proposed to amend existing salary levels. The workers' side believes that salary levels that do not correspond to current job duties should be merged to create a more sophisticated compensation structure.

Unions associated with railways raised the issue of paying a risk and hardship allowance for railway workers within the 8th Departmental Wage Committee. Railway employees' work often involves risky and difficult conditions. The workers' side insists that these conditions must be taken into account.

According to the first-ever National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) conducted by the National Statistics Office (NSO), only 15% of workers use public transport, including buses, trains, trams, or auto-rickshaws. Meanwhile, 46% of employees rely on cars or motorcycles.

Nationally, 43% of workers use motorcycles for travel, and 3% use cars. In urban areas, dependence on these modes of transport is higher: 53% of workers travel by two-wheeled vehicles, and 5.7% by car.

Furthermore, 28.3% of people commute to work on foot, making walking the second most common mode of transport. 10.7% of workers use bicycles. The data shows that over a third of rural workers (36%) walk to work, compared to 14% in urban areas. The survey covered trips longer than 1 km and was conducted from July 2025 to June 2026; round trips were counted as two journeys.

The average commute time for a worker is 25 minutes, while in cities it increases to 27 minutes, and in rural areas to 23 minutes. Morning commutes are heavily concentrated before 10 am, as almost 95% of workers leave home for work at this time.

In terms of expenses, workers spend an average of 785 rupees per month on travel. Men spend significantly more (835 rupees) than women (533 rupees). This gap is even more noticeable in rural areas, where men spend more than twice as much as women—674 rupees versus 307 rupees.

In contrast, student mobility presents a completely different picture. Walking is the most frequent mode of transport for students, accounting for 37%, followed by buses (29.5%) and bicycles (15.8%). Approximately 88% of students reach educational institutions within 30 minutes, with an average trip duration of 23 minutes. Nearly four out of five students leave for school between 7 am and 10 am.

In addition to meeting specific requirements of the Ministry of Railways, this study is expected to provide valuable insights into how, when, and why people travel. The NSO stated that information on travel patterns and public transport usage will help identify gaps in existing transport systems, assess accessibility, optimize routes, and improve service frequency and schedules.

Spanish trade unions have announced a general strike aimed at defending the right to housing and decent wages that allow for its payment. The exact date of the strike will be determined after consultations with social organizations and the Tenants' Union.

The joint statement by the unions confirms the intention declared last Friday, after Congress rejected two resolutions concerning housing issues. These agreements must now be approved by the top leadership bodies of the two central unions.

UGT and CCOO previously announced the convening of their governing bodies to determine how to involve the working world in mobilization through joint union actions and coordination with social movements, activists, and tenants.

According to the unions, the demonstrations held over the past weekend demonstrated the strength of this demand, and the response to it 'must be built by all supporting organizations.'

The general strike is directed at various government administrations responsible for the housing sector, as well as patronage organizations, which, according to UGT and CCOO, 'should recognize that wages must ensure access to such a vital thing as housing.'

Union proposals were integrated into the draft Sixth Agreement on Employment and Collective Bargaining (AENC), which included provisions for wage review with an increase from 4% to 7%, as well as measures to facilitate access to housing, and into the Unified Union Proposal promoted by the two central unions.

The statement explains that this proposal includes a ten-point plan for the right to housing, which requires a social and political pact, the creation of a permanent state housing fund, rent control, and effective implementation of the Right to Housing Law nationwide.

CCOO and UGT call on workers to join the campaign both in workplaces and on the streets, as well as the general strike, insisting that they will continue mobilization and collective bargaining 'until housing ceases to be a privilege and wages allow for a dignified life.'

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez today called early elections for November 29, concluding a legislative period marked by court cases, tension between the executive branch and judges, and a legislative deadlock in parliament.

Sánchez decided to postpone the national elections after the Spanish Parliament rejected two Government resolutions on housing matters last Friday, and following more than a week of daily protests with thousands of people in the streets over evictions and difficulties in obtaining housing. The current legislative term was due to end in July 2027.