Kuzbass Freezes Public Sector Salaries Amid Coal Crisis
Kuzbass authorities have confirmed that public sector salaries will not be indexed in 2026 due to the region's financial crisis caused by the coal industry downturn.
May 1, 2026 0
Salaries in Kuzbass were not increased in 2025 either due to budget problems.
Source:
The authorities of Kuzbass have not changed their decision regarding the indexation of public sector salaries in 2026. The Ministry of Finance of Kuzbass confirmed on social media on Thursday, 5 February, that salary increases from the regional budget are impossible due to the difficult financial situation.
In comments under the regional governor«s posts, residents have repeatedly asked about annual salary increases in healthcare, education, and other public sectors. Commentators believe that amid rising inflation, working in socially important structures will soon become completely unprofitable.
«Or perhaps first do the salary indexation for teachers over two years? Soon there will be no teachers, only tutors will remain,» wrote Marfa.
Staff of the regional Ministry of Finance responded that there are still no plans to raise salaries in the next 11 months. There are no funds in the regional budget, whose revenues have decreased manifold due to the coal mining crisis.
«We understand that prices are rising, purchasing power is declining, so as soon as the situation improves, the issue of indexing salaries for public sector workers will be considered by the Kuzbass government as a priority,» the ministry stated.
According to representatives, the salaries of teachers, doctors, and employees of other public sectors are under special control.
Earlier, the department reminded on social media that salaries in Kuzbass have been indexed three times in the last three years. In autumn 2023 — for teachers, medical workers, and social workers by 10%, a few months later — for other categories. In March 2024, salaries increased for the last time — by 7.7%, affecting 190,000 people.
Last year, residents« earnings did not change, as authorities explained, also due to problems in the regional budget.
The state of Kuzbass«s treasury leaves much to be desired, as acknowledged by both federal economists and regional authorities. Specific figures, forecasts, and reasons — the editorial team of NGS42.RU is gathering everything about the regional budget in a separate story.
Read more
