Government expecting Russia to assist in updating “social parasite” database

January 31, Pozirk. The Council of Ministers has updated procedures for identifying unemployed able-bodied Belarusians subject to a “social parasite” tax in Belarus, according to a document published on the National Legal Internet Portal.
The amendments require authorities to receive and use data from Russia to control the movements of Belarusians capable of working and not employed in the economy. The State Border Committee will inform the labor ministry about unemployed Belarusians who have been absent from Belarus and Russia for more than 30 days every quarter.
The interior ministry will share data with labor ministry on people who reported permanent residence abroad or “are on the migration register in the Russian Federation,” based on information provided by the Russian police.
People who are absent from Belarus for long are included in the register of persons not employed in the economy, also known as the “social parasite” database.
Alaksandar Łukašenka’s Edict No 3 requiring unemployed Belarusians to pay social security tax sparked mass protests across the country in 2017. It targeted Belarusians who worked abroad without paying taxes in Belarus but enjoyed access to free healthcare and other social services. In January 2018, the government entered nearly 500,000 Belarusians in the database.
From 2019, all able-bodied unemployed Belarusians also pay higher utility bills to cover the full cost of services.
- EconomyRussia’s Lada outsells China's Geely in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsHuman rights activists designate 16 as former political prisonersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLocal officials to approve appointments of CEOs to private companiesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- PoliticsOpposition politician Łatuška meets with Dutch ambassador in WarsawThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsCIS states debate AI regulationsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Economy
- Economy
- EconomyŁukašenka wants district authorities to have more control over private businessesThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- EconomyUK, Lithuania pull out of double tax treaties with BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics
- Politics
- PoliticsConvicted Belarusian spy wanted in PolandThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsReprisals: opposition initiative’s data leak linked to two arrests in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- EconomyState Investment Program to fund renovation of four highwaysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- SecurityLithuania reports spike in illegal entries from BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsInterview with Constitution expert about Belarus’ failure to establish separation of powersThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Society
- Politics, SecurityUkraine, Russia exchange prisoners in BelarusThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityPoland completes installation of electronic barrier at border in PodlaskieThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, SecurityBelarusian exercise not a threat to Ukraine, border guard spokesman saysThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Elections, Politics
- SocietyBelarus’ agency awarding academic degrees uses software to detect AI-generated textsThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsOpposition politicians discuss accountability for Łukašenka with Sweden's ministerThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsPeople leaving Belarus thoroughly checked at the borderThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- Politics, Security
- Economy
- PoliticsOpposition leader to discuss Belarus at summit in AlbaniaThe material is available only to POZIRK+
- PoliticsLithuania’s top diplomat backs democratic Belarus’ European aspirationsThe material is available only to POZIRK+