Changes For ‘Parasites’ Introduced In Belarus

Both for those who have gone abroad and for those who have remained in the country.

The government of Belarus has introduced changes for “parasites”. It has also prescribed how security forces can be involved to “stimulate” people to work. The corresponding resolution is published on the website pravo.by.

On March 24, the government adopted a resolution that amends the rules for classifying certain categories as so-called parasites. This affects, among other things, the cost of utilities for those who have their own housing.

What has changed for those who are studying abroad

Previously, the authorities allowed those who are studying in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU — Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia) to be excluded from the list of “parasites”, as well as those who are studying at home, except for those who are taking additional courses, seminars, trainings and personal development programs. Now they have added those who are studying abroad (not only in the EAEU) at the direction of Belarusian government agencies within the framework of international agreements.

“Parasites” now pay full rates for some housing and communal services — heating, hot water, and gas. The cost of the first two services for “dependents” is 5.5 times higher than for the rest of the population.

At the same time, officials have not abandoned the idea of introducing restrictions on free medicine for “parasites”.

What was clarified about insurance premiums and work in international organizations

Also, those who are registered with the Social Security Fund and pay insurance premiums will be considered officially employed in the economy.

Another change concerns the procedure for excluding those who work in representative offices of international organizations in Belarus from the database of those not employed in the economy. To do this, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs transfers lists of such workers with their identification numbers. This data is received once every six months — until the 15th of the second month after the end of the reporting period.

Changes in the work of “parasite” commissions and the involvement of the police in the search for “dependents”

In addition, the authorities have made changes to the work of the “dependents” commissions, which help people with employment. Now they will have the right to cooperate with the police and hold accountable those who ignore their calls and “lead an asocial lifestyle.” It should be noted that the Brest police previously said that they help “assist to ensure the appearance of citizens” before the “parasite” commissions. And they said that for some of those who do not appear at such meetings, administrative liability is provided — from a fine to an arrest.

The Council of Ministers also prescribed that both the organizations in which they work and the employment services must notify the police about the absence of those obliged — those who must reimburse the state for expenses for something.

The government decree also stipulated that commissions will be able to exclude people who have left the country from the list of those not employed in the economy if they prove that they were included there by mistake. Or if they provide evidence that they are studying or working abroad under conditions that allow them not to be in the database and not to pay for utilities at the full rate.

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