“They Know Neither Your Address Nor Your Name, But They Know You're “Parasite”

Polatsk residents received anonymous “chain letters.”

A woman from Polatsk received a “chain letter” from a commission coordinating employment promotion. However, the woman was surprised that there was absolutely no personal data in the notification: “Neither the address nor the name. But they know for sure that you're a “parasite.” The commission explained that they wanted to “preserve the confidentiality of every citizen” in this way, tut.by reports.

– I found such a “note of happiness” when I came back from work. No address, no name. But they know for sure that I am a “parasite.” I called the commission and asked: “What this notification was based on? Why does it have no address? I get the answer that “our database is created on the basis of data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the employment centre.” They answered that the notification was a preliminary action, the letter will come next.

I decided to ignore them. Let them prove everything themselves, – the woman from Polatsk, who received that notification, said.

The commission explains that initially they wanted to “keep the confidentiality of every citizen and simply notify people that they are in the database.” Doing this, they handed the notifications personally, but in cases where the person was not at home, they left the paper in the mailbox.

– It was done to inform the citizens. We did not indicate anyone's last name, just provided information that “you are in the database.” When we delivered the first notifications, people began to bring us documents proving that they were engaged in the economy – some work abroad, some have already found job here.

Those who brought us documents, which confirm their engagement in the economy, were deleted from the database.

– We have verified the data and are now sending registered notification letters to those who have not contacted the commission. The letter explains what will happen if a person does not provide information about the employment.

We remind, that about 500 thousand people are included in the database of able-bodied citizens who are not employed in the economy. Every resident of Belarus can get access to it. Login and password to access the portal are issued free of charge in the “Single Window.”

It was reported earlier, that the authorities did not intend to send notification letters to those who got into the database.

We remind, that the Belarusians working abroad automatically get listed as “parasites.” Special commissions that analyzed the personal data of Belarusian citizens compiled the database.

It was repeatedly stated that, in addition to 100% utility bills, “parasite” will pay full amount for other services that are subsidized by the state, and “Belarusians unoccupied in the economy” were threatened to be sent in Medical-Labour Centres.

The previous version of the “parasite decree” provoked mass protests, which experts call the most massive in Belarus since the “perestroika.”