Hrodna “parasites”: either they abolish this law or people to start riots

Even those, whom the unconstitutional decree hasn’t affected directly, demand its abolition.

Tatiana, a Hrodna dweller, has been collecting signatures for the abolition of the decree on “parasites” on the streets of Hrodna for a couple of days already. The girl represents no political party; she just considers it her duty to do it.

The local web portal hrodna.life writes about it.

“Collecting signatures I hope to somehow influence this wrong law. People are actively signing the petition and it is great. Probably, the decree has affected many people. However, there are people who stick to a principle: “This is none of my business.” Even one of my friends has told me that she was not going to sign the petition as the decree hadn’t affecter her. But I consider it to be wrong, as no one can tell his or her future, we should help each other.”

Tatiana, just like other ten thousands Belarusians, was affected by the decree on “parasites”, although she studies and works.

“I'm getting a second education and pay for it. I registered as a craftswoman in February 2015, I was crafting wedding decorations. I registered as a self-employed entrepreneur to get protection from the state, because I wanted to do everything legally, but soon this very decree came into effect. I was sure that it would not affect me, but I was wrong. It appeared, that craftsmen, registered in 2015, are also subject to this decree. This is not fair, because I paid the taxes and now I have to pay one more. My rights are violated and I cannot work and continue my studies. This is not the way they should treat people, I feel hurt. That’s why I took to the streets.”

Tatiana has been collecting signatures for a couple of days only, but many Hrodna dwellers, affected by the decree, have already given their signatures to her.

Pavel, 26 years old

“I do not want to stand aside, I haven’t yet received the letter, but I'm sure that it will come, because I have not worked for a certain time. This is not the way one should treat people– to force them to work. How can I pay the tax if I have no work? And if you find the money, they [tax office] will start asking where the money has come from, etc. I was laid off; there is no work. I won’t pay when I receive the notification.”

Viktoryia, 25 years old

“Lukashenka was wrong to invent this law. Where the unemployed can find such money? I’ve heard it as a rumor that if you find the money to pay the tax, the tax officers start asking where the money came from. The situation is very unpleasant. I signed the petition and I am ready to take the forms from the girl and walk in the streets myself, collecting the signatures.

I am a hairdresser by training, but the company has laid me off. I am looking for a new job, but there’s no any. Private companies don’t want to register their employees. I thought that as for the jobs, everything was good in our country until the situation affected me. I was wrong and now I understand why everybody is complaining. Either we decide something with this law or the people will start to rebel.”

Kazimir, 35 years old

“there’s mass unemployment in the country today. Enterprises stand idle, wages are reduced, jobs are cut. How could they demand money from the people in such conditions? I myself was affected by the decree. I am a house painter by training, and I have attended employment centers a few times, but they offer such salaries, that no normal guy would go to work for them.

Because it’s not real to survive on those salaries. I have worked in Moscow recently and have earned some money – we can live on them for a while, but I don’t know what is going to happen after. All civilized states help their unemployed, and our state, on the contrary, demands money from those, who have no job.”

Sviatlana, 30 years old

“I am against this decree, although it doesn’t apply to me. Where can an unemployed person get the money to pay the tax? There are very few jobs; a person with self-respect won’t work for 150 Belarusian rubles per month. This amount almost equals the utility bills, and what if there are children in the family? This is awful. He should abolish this law and stop mocking poor people.”

We remind that the March of angry Belarusians, demanding the abolition of the decree on "parasites", is to begin at 18-00 on February 17 on Kastrychnitskaya Square in Minsk.