In Volyn, work continues on increasing wages. As reported on June 13 at an operational meeting in the regional state administration by Volodymyr Kets, head of the main department of labor and social protection of the population, the average earnings in the region since the beginning of the year grew compared to the corresponding period of 2004 by 34.5% and amounts to almost 485 hryvnias. But despite the fact that the wage growth rates in Volyn are among the highest in Ukraine, the earnings level continues to remain one of the lowest in the state. The average wage of one full-time employee in April in the region amounted to almost 526 hryvnias, when in Ukraine it was almost 734. The highest wage level is in Novovolynsk, Kovel and Lutsk, respectively 630, 597 and almost 574 hryvnias, among the districts in Kivertsivskyi and Lutskyi – 420 and 414. At the same time, in 17 districts of the region the average monthly earnings are significantly lower than the regional average, here people earn from 308 to 386 hryvnias. The least is paid to Volyn peasants on average 217 hryvnias per month, which constitutes only 45% of the regional average and does not even reach the level of the minimum wage. The main reasons affecting the low level of earnings in Volyn among peasants, according to Volodymyr Kets, are the unsatisfactory financial condition of enterprises, the excessive number of employees and the low efficiency of working time use. \n