Cash bonuses for militaries to be increased

The monthly cash bonuses for the military staff will be increased in 2014. The announcement was made by Defense Minister Pavel Lebedev,  who noted that improving social standards in the Armed Forces of Ukraine is a priority of the Defense Ministry. According to him, from Jan. 1, 2014 cash bonuses have been increased by 20%. He also assured the military that payments will be made on time and in full, the Information-Analytical Bulletin of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine informs.

This increase initiated by the defense ministry, was approved by the Cabinet on March 13, 2013. The cash payments to the Ukrainian military,  will increase quarterly from April 1, 2013. According to the MOD, by  July 1, 2014, the military pay will be doubled from  April 1, 2013. Thus, in the summer, the monthly bonus to a serviceman will be equal to his monthly salary.

According to defense ministry, the following military staff categories are eligible for bonuses: they are military staff, except soldiers and sailors of draft service, holding positions in the Navy, the Marine Protection of the State Border Service, military units, departments, agencies, institutions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

These include: land aviation specialists ensuring safety of aircraft and helicopters, officers of the Air Forces and Ground Forces, military pilots, employees of special units of the Armed Forces, Interior Ministry troops, border guards.

According to the authors, improving social standards of servicemen, including increasing bonuses, is the opportunity to raise the prestige of military service. For this purpose, the Ministry of Defense together with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Social Policy are implementing a number of social programs to enhance the prestige of military service.