Ministry of Labour wants tax for social parasites

Unemployed Belarusians will have to pay more for social services.

A mechanism of compensation for a part of state expenses on social services and other services sponsored by the state by unemployed people and their families is being worked out in Belarus. This statement was made by Piotr Hrushnik, the deputy minister of labour and social protection, during an online conference on the ministry's website.

The official noted that under article 56 of the Belarusian Constitution, citizens must contribute to funding public expenditure by means of state taxes, duties and other payments.

“From the point of view of social justice, all citizens of working age must pay taxes in our country and in all other countries,” the deputy minister said. “Our state finances the systems of health care, education, culture, sport, utilities, public transport, communication and other social infrastructure facilities. In our view, expenses on these services should be compensated by all citizens by means of various taxes.”

The official didn't call the innovation a “tax for unemployed people” in spite of its obvious sense. The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection wants the people, who are officially unemployed for some reasons, to pay more. It should be noted that almost all sectors of social services are state-funded in Belarus.

The idea of a tax on social parasites is not a new one. The question was raised by high-ranking officials on several occasions. In particular, PM Mikhail Miasnikovich said in July to officials of the Mahilou region that a special tax for officially unemployed people must be imposed.

“About 445,000 people of working age do not work in Belarus. These people do not contribute in development of the economy, but use social benefits. The situation must be fixed. One of the possible ways is a tax on unemployed people,” the prime minister said.

Member of the parliament Aliaksandr Yarashevich said that the “house of representatives” could return to the problem of social parasitism.

“If people can work, but don't work and live at the cost of society, we need to do something about it. Examples of social parasitism can be found everywhere,” the MP said.

Anatoly Tozik urged last December to take measures against unemployed citizens.

“We have about 400,000 who don't work or work on paper, avoid taxes and sponges on the social policy of the state,” the deputy prime minister said.

It should be noted that many Belarusians do not work officially or go abroad as seasonal workers. They are mostly construction workers.