Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 3 August (BelTA) - Implementation of the updated Ordinance No. 3 “On preventing social parasitism” will fall within the competence of local authorities, Belarus Labor and Social Security Minister Irina Kostevich told the media following the meeting with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, BelTA has learned.

“Ordinance No. 3 will not be canceled. The government proposes new approaches to stimulate employment. The emphasis is on local executive authorities,” Irina Kostevich said. “The executive authorities must provide the opportunity to all who are willing and able to work and assist them in finding a job,” she noted.

The government also proposes to implement the principle “out of work, pay for services”. “These are the services that are subsidized from the state budget. The list will be compiled by the government. Work is underway,” the minister said.

In other words, it is assumed that the able-bodied citizens, who are not employed in the economy will pay for the services subsidized from the state budget in the amount to reimburse the provision of these services. However, all options are still being explored.

The list of these services will be developed in cooperation with the local authorities.

Databases with the information on the working status of each citizen will be developed to encourage employment. “There are plans to develop the Belarusian integrated service and payment system – ID cards - by the end of 2018. The system will be connected to departmental databases to provide necessary information. If an able-bodied person is out of work, different rules will be applied to him/her in terms of public services,” she said.

The president approved the concept and instructed to finalize the new document. The head of state emphasized that its implementation should fall within the competence of local authorities. Alexander Lukashenko also ordered to develop an integrated service and payment system as soon as possible.

It was noted that the provisions of the new document should not apply to people in difficult situations.

The meeting also touched upon the issues related to the declaration of income and property, and tax evasion.