Facing budget shortfalls, officials in the Trans-Baikal region suspend salaries to staff at hospitals

Due to budget shortfalls, state authorities in the Trans-Baikal region have suspended all salaries and vacation pay to employees at medical facilities in the area.

"Due to the fact that, at the present time, there is a financial shortfall in the regional budget, clarifying the exact timeframe for paying salaries is not currently possible," announced the region's health minister, Mikhail Lazutkin.

The region's doctors have still not received pay for August, summer vacation has been paid only partly, and there are also wage arrears dating back to July.