Authorities Preparing To Strike A Blow At ‘Parasites’

• 24.09.2024, 12:43

They have taken on those going abroad again.

In Belarus, the authorities continue to discuss possible new restrictions for those who have ended up in the “parasite” database. It is possible that restrictions regarding free medical care may be introduced for those working abroad. Head of the “Council of the Republic” Natallia Kachanava was particularly concerned about truck drivers. Zerkalo has compiled a selection of innovations that have already been introduced this year for “parasites”.

It is important to note that “parasites” pay full rates for some housing and communal services — heating, hot water and gas.

Innovation for workers in the EAEU countries

On January 25 of this year, the government introduced changes for “parasites”. One of the innovations came into effect on February 1 for those working in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) — Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia.

If previously any employment in these countries meant exemption from “parasitism”, then from February 1 of this year — only work under an employment contract or agreement does the trick. For example, working as a self-employed or individual entrepreneur in these countries no longer saves a person from being included in the “parasite” database in Belarus.

As a reminder, as for other countries (except the EAEU), those who have gone abroad for more than 30 days, even if they work or study abroad, are considered “parasites” from March 2022. But until February of this year, there was an exception: the innovation did not apply to all those who work or study in the EAEU countries.

Change for gardeners

Another change that appeared this year concerns those who are engaged in crop production or livestock farming on their land. Previously, such an occupation granted exemption from “parasitism”. One of the conditions is that this land must be located outside the capital and regional cities. This means that if you actively grow tomatoes or cucumbers at your dacha, breed rabbits or chickens and can confirm this to the “parasite” commission, you can be excluded from this database.

This year, officials added new conditions: those who are engaged in plant growing or livestock farming on their land cannot be absent from Belarus for more than 30 days in total during one quarter. Otherwise, they will be classified as “parasites”. A clause was also introduced on the mandatory registration at the place of residence in Belarus of those who grow something and do not want to be listed as “dependents”.

Innovation for families with children

This year, officials also introduced a change for Belarusian women who are raising a child under seven years of age or who have three or more minor children. In order not to be considered “parasites”, you must now actually live in Belarus — that is, be outside the country for no more than 30 days during one quarter (as in the case of gardeners). An exception is going abroad for treatment or health improvement. The same requirement was introduced for those raising a child under 18 who has a disability. Let us recall that in the case of raising a minor child with a disability, both a man and a woman can be considered employed in the economy (if we are talking about a child under seven, then only women have this right).

As with gardeners, in the case of those raising children, there were also discrepancies — whether the rule of absence from the country for 30 days applies to them or not. But this year, officials clearly spelled out this point.

Changes for those renting out real estate

Previously, renting out real estate and parking spaces granted exemption from “parasitism” if a person paid income tax on such income. This year, officials clarified that such a fee must be paid “in fixed amounts from such income” (this tax was raised on February 1). That is, the authorities prescribed that the tax must be paid in a certain amount, and be fixed.

Departures through Russia are now recorded in the “parasite” database

This year, the Border Committee began to transfer data on Belarusians leaving the country through Russia to the “parasite” database. Such data is provided to this agency by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which, in turn, receives such information from its Russian colleagues. Let us recall that the Border Committee transfers data on those who have left the country for more than 30 days to the “parasite” database every month.

Limitations regarding family capital and “parasites”

Since May 28, Belarus has introduced new restrictions on family capital. One of the innovations concerns “parasitism”: some families in which the father is classified as a “dependent” will not be assigned family capital. They also cannot use these funds early.

The right to early disposal of family capital is now tied to the father's employment in the same way. “If a family wishes to use these funds in any direction, an able-bodied father, stepfather in a complete family, or parent in a single-parent family must be employed for at least 12 months in the two-year period before applying,” the Ministry of Labor explained earlier.

The “parasite” database is now updated more frequently

Since April 1, the list of those who were included in the “dependents” database and must pay housing and communal services at full rates has been updated monthly. Previously, this data was updated once a quarter (only for those who went abroad, this was done every month).

Innovations for commission secretaries

From August 1, more innovations regarding “parasites” appeared. Thus, the authorities expanded the list of duties of secretaries of commissions for “dependents”. Since August, they have also started working with the “parasite” database, and also making lists of those who have been included in it and must pay for housing and communal services at full rates.

Secretaries can also now request information from organizations if such information is needed for the commission's work. These employees have also begun to process applications from people to be excluded from the “parasite” database. And this is far from the entire list of duties that have been added to these specialists.

Also, since August 1, secretaries have been included in the “parasite” commissions. In fact, we can say that these employees have received more powers.