MOSCOW (AP) - Russian lawmakers voted to raise the country's monthly minimum wage Friday from 300 rubles (dlrs 9.68) to 500 rubles (dlrs 16.13).
The Duma, Russia's lower house of parliament, passed the measure by a landslide 413 to 0 with 2 abstentions. It will take effect May 1.
The Duma also raised the minimum benefits for temporary worker compensation for illness or injury from 100 rubles (dlrs 3.23) to 150 rubles (dlrs 4.84) per month.
Nearly all Russians earn more than the minimum wage, but it is used as an important baseline for government budget calculations and to determine some fines.