"The government's draft of the federal budget for 2004 does not resolve the problems of budget workers, it does not contain a single line stipulating any increase in their wages," noted Chairman of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science Alexander Shishlov in his speech at the press conference in the Trade Union Association of Universities of Moscow and the Moscow region on October 2, 2003.

Shishlov also said that together with his colleagues from the YABLOKO faction and members of the State Duma Committee for Education and Science, he submitted six amendments to the draft budget aimed at raising the wages of education workers.

In particular, Shishlov proposes a 1.5-fold increase in the wages of education workers and student grants from October 1, 2004. According to the calculations of YABLOKO's experts, who prepared the alternative budget for 2004, the requisite funds exist.

The second reading of the budget will take place in two weeks. "We can and should change the budget to enable workers in the education, science, culture and health care sectors to obtain dignified living standards," said Shishlov.

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