New Tariff Rates. How Much Will ‘Parasites’ Pay?

Only heating will be worth almost half the real salary.

Belarusians registered in the "parasite" database will be subject to payments for gas and heating at "economically justified tariffs". Until October 1, "not employed in the economy" paid only for hot water supply in full.

"Parasites" will have to pay 5.5 times more for heating in the new heating season. According to the most conservative estimates, the monthly overpayment for a two-room apartment will amount to 21 rubles.

But in fact, no one knows what the utility bill will be after October 1. The government does not explain what 100% of utility cost involves. The authorities also conceal the exact number of people who have been added to the "parasite database".

Maria Tarasenka, an activist of the REP trade union from Homel, known for her struggle against the "parasite" decree, comments on the situation for Charter97.org.

- As soon as a higher hot water tariff rate was introduced for the "parasites" on January 1, some of them breathed with relief that it cut losses. How would you comment on the increasing number of extortions the unemployed are subject to?

- I'd like to remind you that the REP trade union warned that the authorities would impose other higher tariff rates. It has long been known that heating and gas supply will be added to the list. As they say, this day has come.

The increase in tariff rates was held in stages. After all, if all this had hit people at once, it would have shocked people. The logic was as follows: "Well, 20 extra roubles are not so much".

But I don't think that payment for a 2-room apartment will increase by only 20 rubles...

- Which numbers are more reliable?

- People should know that heating during the winter season will cost much more than "plus 20 rubles". For example, if an average heating bill for a two-room apartment amounts to 20-25 rubles, the tariff for not employed people increased by 5.5 times. It will exceed 100 rubles. This is much. This is already a "draconian" tariff.

I cannot get the algorithm for calculating this so-called "economically justified" tariff. The term raises more issues than solves them. What does this "economically" mean? What "economist" justified it? If it is justified, please explain to people what this tariff involves. But it is a closed book.

I know many people who have tried to learn tariff policy for heating, water heating, electricity. They did not succeed. We just have the final figure. The rest is a secret.

They use the principle: you don't work - pay 5.5 times more. The technology is beyond fantasy, as well as the decree and the attitude to people. The citizens are divided into 2 categories: some pay under a subsidized rate, others pay under an "economically justified" rate. The worst thing is that people who do not work fall beyond the legal norms.

- How will these "draconian tariffs" affect the financial state of families added to the "base of parasites"?

- This is a huge sum even for people who work. Let's see at real wages in the regions. At best, they are 300-400 rubles. Although, one should make efforts to find a salary of $200. A person is often promised the salary of $200-250, but never receives it. Our work is tied to the contract system, which gives the floor for all kinds of deductions, fines, and so on. As a result, a person gets less money.

This is a great burden to pay utility bills even for a working family, even for qualified and educated specialists especially if the tariff increases by 5.5 times! Then it becomes simply impracticable. To say nothing of people who do not work.

By the way, it is not a whim for many people not to work. There are good reasons: they are not satisfied with the salary, the contract system also matters. A person can simply be fired without having his contract extended. It's barely possible to find a job in Belarus when you're over 40. The decree binds a person. An unemployed person faces hardships being labeled as a "parasite".

A person with higher education has to do dirty work, otherwise, he is an outcast with an increased utility tariff rates. This is forced labour. No, it's not even labour, it's slavery. It sounds crazy in the 21st century.

- The "parasite base" has not yet provided accurate data. Journalists rely on the figure of 500 thousand people announced by the Minister of Labour Iryna Kastsevich. But there are many cases when the base included people who should not be there by Decree № 3. Why are there no accurate data?

- I think that officials do not care much about it. They do not care about all the nuances and add everyone to the database. Remember that scandalous case when a girl who died 20 years ago on Nemiha was added to the database of the "not employed in the economy". Such cases happened in 2017.

The algorithm is as follows: officials are given a number (500.000), they add everyone to the database. Now it seems that the base is mended and it includes 425 thousand people. But are these real figures?

After all, the attitude to the decree is careless. The main thing is to start. Let people prove they are not "parasites". Officials are not responsible for anything. They say that a person must prove his innocence.

- What can "negligence" of officials bring?

- I don't want to think about it at all, since there may be more cases when people have to take extreme measures.

This can be prevented by a complete abolition of the "parasite" decree, which violates both the Constitution and international norms. All we have to do is to resist, to show that we are human beings.

I can say that I will always support people who are added to the "parasite database" and seek its abolition. People, do not be afraid, defend your rights.

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