Kharkiv Mayor Terekhov: Raising Social Workers' Pay Without State Subsidies Shifts Burden to Local Budgets

Kharkiv Mayor's Stance on Social Worker Salary Increases

In an interview with the publication 'Glavcom,' Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov outlined his position on raising salaries for social workers without corresponding state subsidies. He stated that such a move unfairly transfers the financial responsibility to municipal budgets. This is especially critical for frontline cities like Kharkiv, which are currently forced to fund not only security measures and post-shelling reconstruction but also to maintain essential services for residents.

Challenges Facing Kharkiv

As a city on the front line, Kharkiv faces numerous severe challenges, including shifts in the tactics of Russian military shelling. These attacks complicate the restoration of energy infrastructure and the heating system. The city also remains home to a significant number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) who continue to live in frontline regions, as well as Ukrainians relocating from other parts of the country. The ongoing war has placed immense strain on local resources and administration.

Terekhov emphasized that while he supports the idea of raising wages for social workers, implementing this decision requires real funding from the state.

“My position is unchanged: during wartime, the state should not pressure local economies but create conditions for their preservation and recovery,” he noted.

This situation highlights the difficulties faced by local authorities in wartime conditions, where public needs are escalating while resources are severely constrained. Increasing social workers' salaries, though an important step, requires adequate funding to avoid worsening the economic situation in regions already suffering from the conflict's consequences. It is crucial for the government to consider these challenges and provide proper support to local budgets during the country's recovery and stabilization.