here and now №1 12/30/1998 (1998)

Video link with Valentina Matviyenko is conducted from the studio of the Government House of the Russian Federation.

Current problems of the past year and plans for economic and social development for 1999 and subsequent years are discussed.

Valentina Matviyenko informs about existing debts in the payment of wages and pensions, about the results of the government's joint work with regional leadership to pay off debts (pensions, child benefits).

The issue of the need to index wages and pensions is raised.

Telephone communication with the chairman of the Russian Independent Trade Union of Coal Industry Workers Ivan Mokhnachuk.

The issue: paying off debts on GKOs.

The 1999 budget is discussed: increasing salaries for the military, public sector employees.

The budget provides for increased funding in the education sector.

The problem of inflated prices for vital medications is considered.

Valentina Matviyenko speaks about the priority of the social sphere for the government along with the development of the real sector of the economy (industry and agriculture).