Belarusian People’s Congress

Lukashenko: Justice is the basis of a social contract

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MINSK, 11 February (BelTA) - Justice is the basis of a social contract and it should be reflected in the Constitution, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he spoke at the 6th Belarusian People's Congress on 11 February, BelTA has learned.

“The task of the state is to create such conditions for interaction between social groups that they would be brought up and perceived as fair by all and everyone. It is justice that is the basis of a public contract, or a so-called social contract, which should be made part of the Constitution,” stressed the Belarusian leader.

According to him, the interests of Belarusians have been made a priority in economic policy. “The social state is our unchangeable national brand. The principle of equal and equitable distribution of benefits has been, until recently, fully supported by the society's demand for the state care. This logic underlay such important institutions as a solidarity pension system, free-for-all healthcare and education, support for large families and other categories of people. A lot of ideas and proposals were voiced at dialogue platforms, including some radical ones such as progressive tax rates, insurance-based healthcare and a cumulative pension system. However, not all groups and layers of the Belarusian society can reject the classical approaches in social policy. The state is ready to preserve them and complement them with new elements. The issue however is extremely complicated and requires discussion by our delegates at this meeting,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Over the past five years, people's incomes have increased by 15% in real terms, the average salary has exceeded Br1,200. “This may not be much, but we should not forget that in addition to these monetary incomes, the Belarusian citizens have a social package, which not only our neighbors, but many developed countries cannot even dream of. Relief and discounts in utility payments, public transport fees, school meals, and the previously mentioned free education and healthcare. Just imagine how much it would cost each person to be treated in a hospital for coronavirus. We hold on, however, we pay,” said the president.

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