Crisis gets at military men: pay and pensions are cut

Belarusian military men are dissatisfied by quick decreasing of pays and retirement pays which has taken place in December. The Defence Ministry does not comment the situation.

In October, thanks to allowances for military ranks, every Belarusian military received 100-300 thousand more than in September. However, military men were not taking delight in it for long. In the end of November rumours appeared that in December bonuses for military rank won’t be received. The government has allegedly adopted a decision that paying such allowances would be suspended for some time because of financial problems of the country. On December 1, rumours became a fact, “Polish Radio” informs.

Military men started to express indignation, as back in summer the government promised to increase pays and pensions, and after they were increased, in a month they were returned to previous ones.

“Yes, discontent exists. I met acquaintances and they are greatly dissatisfied by this situation. The matter is, that last months pay and allowances for military rank were increased, and in this month they were cut down again. Nothing specific is said about it, they say they have financial difficulties this month. If we haven’t been given anything last month, it would be better than to do such stupid things,” the former Defence Minister Pavel Kazlouski said.

Some military men were told that difficulties with salaries does not mean a crisis, it is a mistake done by the Defence Ministry previous month. According to this version, in November more than planned was added to pays and pensions, so this month something was to be subtracted to correct the mistake.

A family of a military man from Minsk region told about that. More than 100,000 Br have been taken away from their salary.

“They say, half as much should have been given to us, and they gave us more. It had been planned to add 50,000 Br, and we received 100,000 Br, so re-calculation was needed. They say that this money were taken to even the increase in pay,” she said.

In reality, more was taken away than added last month. If in November they were to receive 50,000 BR, and received 100,000 Br, now they have been taken away 50,000 Br which belonged to them initially. This money is to be returned to them in the end of the year, that means this month. In some military units pays have become even 5-10,000 Br more than in September.

Retired lieutenant colonel Mikola Statkevich believes that actions of the regime demonstrate that there are serious difficulties in the economy. “In every country army should be well provided for”.

“Every regime always tried to have its army well provided for. And the worst thing which could be done here is that they gave something, and then took back. It is very distressing, people have planned their expenses, family budget, and now the money is taken back again. It really causes great indignation,” Statkevich said.

The Defence Ministry of Belarus does not comment on this situation. It is unknown which agency had decided to cut payments and allowances, the Defence Ministry, the Council of Ministers or the President.