Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions calls for people to unite against rising prices

The Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions (CMTU) has announced a proposal to combat rising meat prices. 

The CMTU as identified a public service wage increase as causing a rise in the price of goods, while private sector workers are earning no more than before the increase.

The Confederation has out forward a recommendation that the minimum wage in the private sector be raised.

They recently conducted a survey of working Mongolians. According to the results, a strong correlation was drawn between the rise in public service wages and rising prices, particularly meat.

State agencies have been blamed for not intervening in the rising prices of consumer goods, and for neglecting the needs of private sector workers.

According to international standards, minimum wage should be at least 70 percent of the average wage. The Confederation claims that for Mongolia to meet such standards, the minimum wage would have to be 196,560 MNT.

IThe proposal will be sent to the Trilateral National Committee on Labor and Social Consensus.
The President of Confederation of Mongolian Trade Unions S.Ganbaatar expressed his stand regarding the issue.

-Is there any other feasible way to increase wages without raising the minimum wage?

-The proposal is not only concerned with raising the minimum wage, we are looking at other options to increase wages. We also proposed an exemption of low income citizens from certain taxation.

We also need to address wage disparities between foreign and domestic workers who hold the same jobs.

-How long would it take for the minimum wage to be increased?

-Many people have offered suggestions but the issue can’t be solved by one or two state agencies. We should establish a Price Regulating and Monitoring Council under the Trilateral National Committee on Labor and Social Consensus.

We also have sent a proposal to the Government requesting a committee be established to punish the authorities that increase price without responsibility to the people.

We will fight the unjust actions of those who increase price without reason until they realise their efforts are futile

-Where does the Confederation stand on the rising price of meat in Mongolia?

-Commodities prices in Mongolia are the same as in European countries and the US. However, the average wage in Mongolia is 16 times lower that it is in the US, and two to four times lower than it is in Russia and People’s Republic of China.

The minimum wage in parts of Africa where poverty levels are extremely high is USD 70 to 80. This means Mongolians are purchasing meat with wages that Africans get and with prices that are same as they are in US and European countries.

We want to get involved in issues regarding meat price, but the legal environment is not conducive to discussions. 

The people of Mongolia can urge the Government to close down the Mongolian Meat Association and transfer their duties to the CMTU. The important thing is that we need to unite against further price rises.