Prime Minister in-waiting Lado Gurgenidze told President Saakashvili that the government planned to increase the minimal monthly pension from the current GEL 38 to GEL 55 in December and then to GEL 76 next year.

“At this stage we should provide assistance to all groups of socially vulnerable people,” Gurgenidze told the president at a meeting aired live on TV.

“The minimal monthly pension will be GEL 55 starting from December 1, which is a significant increase. And then it will increase to GEL 76 within the year. This change will apply to over 880,000 pensioners, with an additional GEL 250 million to be allocated from the exchequer to cover the cost. We also plan on increasing teacher salaries by GEL 40.”