EN
The article contains deliberations on theoretical and practical aspects of the specific nature of pay in the sphere of non-material services. The author points at the necessity of a new approach to the essence and functions of pay In both spheres of. the socialist economy and describes main concepts connected with this approach. There is, moreover, presented a brief analysis of the functioning of the pay system In the non-material sphere, from the viewpoint of its functions, as well as problems connected with supplying this sphere with financial resources for wages. The main thesis of the article Is the social usefulness of work as a basis for shaping pay in both spheres of the economy.