Ex-Minister of Labour On Fight Against “Social Parasites” in Belarus: Much Noise, But Little Profit Out Of This Venture

The former minister considers that the Belarusian version of the war on “social parasitism” violates both national laws and international agreements.

The former Minister of Labour and Social Protection Aliaksandr Sasnou commented on the economic effects of the tax on unemployed Belarusians, Radio Svaboda reports.

"I think that those, who do have money and who do want to work, they will pay the tax, and that was kept in view. And those who are homeless, and there are a lot of them around Kamarouka, they do not work and are not going to pay, – Aliaksandr Sasnou says. – There isn’t a single approach to all the citizens. Some people have given up, just to set themselves free, as they have the money and do not see a problem there. But there is a certain category, which does not work and is not going to pay.“

According to lawyers, “social parasites”, among others, may be forced to take part in compulsory community service under conditions close to serfdom. Sasnou agrees that such a struggle against parasites violates both our laws and international agreements.

“Our state has long been violating all international agreements on the organization of work, which it has signed and ratified. So it is violating them again – yes, it’s such a state,“ – the ex-minister says.

“Parasites” are to bring less than a billion rubles in taxes to the city budget, while the budget receives tens of trillions rubles in total.