Russia's federal government will lose 5% of its staff this year as part of a three-year program of cuts, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday.
"Vladimir Putin has signed a decree to cut the number of government officials to 1,453 from March 31," Peskov said, adding that the government would be reduced by another 5% in 2012 and by 10% in 2013 in accordance with Putin's instructions.
The average age of government officials was 45 years and women accounted for 50.48% of the government staff, Peskov said.
NOVO-OGAREVO, January 14 (RIA Novosti)
