Ministry of Labour: Freeloaders may have problems with going abroad

Minister of Labour and Social Protection Mariyana Shchotkina has promised that so-called ‘freeloaders’ will have problems with going abroad if they do not pay the corresponding fines. She announced it on Belarus-1 on April 5.

According to the new law, people who have been jobless for more than 183 days a year will have to pay 20 base amounts (3.6 million) to the state.

The lists of freeloaders will be sent to tax inspectorates, Maryna Shchotkina said. Unemployed people who pay taxes of at least 20 base amounts a year will not be considered freeloaders.

Alyaksandr Lukashenka signed the freeloaders tax bill on April 2. The document is supposed to make unemployed Belarusians find jobs and help finance state expenses.

Belarusian citizens and permanent residents who do not participate in the financing of state expenses will have to pay the fine of 20 base amounts by November 15 (Br3 million 600 thousand).

Belarusians who work for more than 183 days a year, have children under the age of 7, handicapped minor children or three or more minor children are not freeloaders. Invalids, children younger than 18, women above 55 and men above 60 are exempt from the tax too.