Bishkek, 20 February 1997 (RFE/RL) - Kyrgyz Prime Minister Apas Joumagulov today threatened government officials with dismissal if back wages are not paid by the end of this year's first quarter.
Joumagulov issued the warning at a cabinet meeting.
The government was informed at the meeting that all pensions and social allowances for 1996 have been paid. But payment of wages remains delayed, and some workers, including teachers, have gone without pay for 3 to 4 months.
Prime Minister Jougmagulov had previously set November 1 of last year as the deadline for payment of back wages and pensions. No action was taken against officials who failed to meet the deadline.
World Bank official meets with non-governmental organizations
Our correspondent reports that World Bank representative Michael Rathnem met today in Bishkek with members of Kyrgyz non-governmental organisations. The main topic of discussion was cooperation between the World Bank and the non-governmental organizations, whose National Forum will hold its conference in Bishkek later this month.
International conference on homeless children opens
The Kyrgyz Parliament's press service says four Kyrgyz deputies are taking part in an international conference on homeless and neglected children, which opened today in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The three-day conference is sponsored by the UNICEF, the Geneva-dased Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Turkmen government.