Updated at 13:52,22-04-2024

Alyaksandr Lukashenka signs 'decree on freeloaders'

Euroradio

The fee is 3.6 million rubles. There is a penalty and administrative detention for failure to pay.

On April 2, Alyaksandr Lukashenka signed a Decree #3 "On prevention of social dependency" (decree on freeloaders). It is noted that the document is intended to encourage the participation of able-bodied Belarusians in working activities and financing of public expenditure.

As BELTA reports, Belarusian citizens and foreigners, who live permanently in the country but do not tske part in financing the public expenditure, or do it for the term of the less than 183 calendar days per year, must pay a fee of 20 basic units ( 3.6 million rubles) no later than November 15.

The Belarusians, who work for more than 183 calendar days a year, raise child under 7 years old or a disabled child under the age of 18, or have three or more minor children do not have to pay. Exempted from the charge are incapacitated citizens, people with disabilities, persons under the age of 18, women who have reached 55 years of age and men over 60.

There are options for reducing the fee, including the deduction of taxes paid in the calendar year.

For non-payment or underpayment of the fee, Belarusians will be fined 2 to 4 basic units (from 360 thousand to 720 thousand rubles). There is also a punishment of administrative arrest.

As was previously stated, the purpose of innovation is to change the situation when able-bodied Belarusians never officially work, do not pay taxes but have a "gray" income.