Belarusian Man Shares Insights On Possibility To Live On Minimum Wage In Lithuania
32- 3.01.2024, 20:14
- 19,740
Many products in this Baltic country are cheaper than in Belarus.
In 2024, the minimum monthly salary in Lithuania increased to 924 euros before taxes, and the amount of non-taxable income to 747 euros. The income of a person receiving the “minimum wage” will increase by 75.22 euros and will amount to 708.4 euros.
At the same time, in Belarus the minimum wage is 177 euros. Is it possible to live on the minimum wage in Lithuania? Charter97.org website asked a Belarusian, who moved to Vilnius after 2020:
— If we look at it piece by piece, the “minimum wage” is enough to support a family of three, if we take in payment for utilities and a good package of groceries. Moreover, for this money a working person can afford to go to a canteen or a simple cafe during their lunch break.
Utilities in houses that have undergone reconstruction in most cases do not exceed 100-150 euros. If the house hasn't been remodeled, there may be other figures. In this way, the government motivates people to install heating, water and gas meters. It turns out that about 60 euros are spent on utilities in the summer, and 100-150 euros in the winter, if we take a one-room or two-room apartment.
As for groceries, prices for many of them are lower than in Belarus. A liter of milk is up to 1 euro, a kilogram of pork — 5, beef — 6-7-8 euros, depending on the quality. Chicken meat is more expensive, breast can cost about 3 euros per 400 grams. A kilogram of bananas costs 1 euro or less.
It turns out that many products are cheaper than in Belarus.
Tea and coffee are much cheaper, the price of coffee is several times lower.
— The average salary in Lithuania is 1,235 euros. How much do people of different professions earn in this country?
— We can say that this is an amount that few people receive. If you were born in Lithuania, know the language, have received an education or a profession, you will earn more. Roughly speaking, guest workers or people who do not have a qualification can receive 1,200 euros.
A salary of 2,000 euros for a Lithuanian citizen is not the limit. At construction sites, people earn 2000-2500, a welder — 3,000, doctors' salaries in both private and public clinics start from 2,500 euros. Yes, state employees, for example, teachers, receive small salaries. However, as far as I know, reforms are taking place in the education system, teachers’ salaries are being raised.
Cashiers in stores, laborers on construction sites are those who receive similar amounts.
— What do Lithuanians say about the changes in the country that have occurred since independence? Are they glad that they have gone this way?
— What is happening in Lithuania can be called an economic boom. There is large-scale construction going on all over the country, production of high-precision equipment is underway, and the IT sector is developing. We see that Belarusian IT companies that came from Belarus are developing well. In them, salaries start from 5 thousand euros — this is the normal state of affairs.
We can say that native Lithuanians are happy about the changes taking place in the country. There is a new trend - Lithuanians who left 10-15 years ago are returning to the country. We will feel the influx of these people, they come to Lithuania, open businesses, and create new jobs. This stimulates the construction of new housing.
What is the main myth of BT propagandists about Lithuania? That the population is decreasing. It's not true, people come back. Not only those who left, but also their children, who see that the standard of living in Lithuania has increased.
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