Henadz Fiadynich: Lukashenka's “bankrollers” should pay wealth tax

There are no rich people in Belarus except for Lukashenka's oligarchs.

Henadz Fiadynich, the head of the electronic industry trade union, discussed the latest initiative of a BSU professor with charter97.org.

“I agree with the initiative if it concerns the houses belonging to Lukashenka's cronies. They should start with Chizh and other people, who are allowed to earn money by Lukashenka's administration. All people who earn big money in Belarus are protected, in one way or another by Lukashenka's property management directorate. Everyone knows it,” the trade union leader said.

Henadz Fiadynich thinks there are no rich people in Belarus except for Lukashenka's oligarchs.

“It's impossible to become rich if you don't know right people among officials. Practice shows that one should be a friend to officials and share with them to achieve something. If you work honestly, earn and pay taxes, but don't have right contacts, you can't achieve anything. The authorities give no chances to small and medium businesses. Speaking about a wealth tax is the same as discussing payments for visiting a polyclinic. I think they propose these measures because the state treasury is almost empty. They have to look for money. The easiest way is to take money from people,” the trade union head said.

Mikhail Kavaliou, the dean of the faculty of economics of BSU known for his controversial ideas and statements, supported the initiative of imposing a “wealth tax”.