DUSHANBE , March 27, Asia-Plus - On Monday March 20, President Emomali Rahmonov signed a decree raising the minimum-salary and pension unit in Tajikistan by 66 percent to 20 Somonis ($6) effective April 1, presidential press service reported. 

The unit is used to calculate pensions and wages in various sectors. According to presidential press service, workers in the science, culture and education sectors will get a 40 percent raise, while wages for medical employees are to be raised by 25 per cent from April 1 2006 .  Heads of secondary schools and orphanages as well as heads of pre-school institutions will get a 50 percent raise. 

 Pensions for single women and widows will go up 50 percent, and the new maximum pension will be 180 Somonis.