At a government session held yesterday the RMK Deputy Minister of Finance stated that the draft budget for the country envisages a 50% rise in the salaries of physicians employed in the public health sector and an average 20% rise in salaries for public health workers. The Deputy Finance Minister also stated that the 2009 draft budget plans for a 29.5% salary hike for teachers employed in the public education system. Standard pension benefits will rise by 17.6% to 8,000 drams per month as compared to 6,800 drams in 2008 and minimum benefits will rise 16% to reach 5,800 drams. At the session Minter of Social Welfare Narineh Azatyan reported that as of January 1st the minimum monthly salary will be pegged at 30,000 as compared to 25,000 in 2008