Baloha says Tymoshenko can cut wages of top-ranking officials 'without any excess noise'

The wages of high-ranking officials and MPs could be reduced "without any excess noise," through a government resolution, Presidential Secretariat Head Viktor Baloha has said.

The presidential press service quoted him as commenting on Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's declared plans to cut the wages of top-ranking officials.

Baloha said that it would be enough to amend the Cabinet of Ministers resolution setting the size of wages for state officials in order to cut the monthly wages of officials, first and foremost, those from central government bodies.

"This is the exclusive prerogative of the government, which can vote on the necessary decisions at its next meeting," he said.

"The Cabinet of Ministers can cut wages to itself, and somebody's help is unnecessary here. Moreover, the government can clean the pockets of the heads of state institutions, as well as MPs, because their monthly wages are directly linked to ministerial salaries. It is enough to pass a government resolution and state funds will be saved," Baloha said.