Leanid Zaika: “Social parasites” to go underground

Angry Belarusians will have a grudge about the new ordinance.

Leanid Zaika, the head of the analytical centre Strategy, said it to Belorusski Partizan. He thinks the next step should be the ban for “social parasites” to buy products in shops, because the price of each item includes a 20% VAT that is paid to the state budget:

“Miasnikovich says there are 445,000 social parasites in Belarus. Actually, we don't have many spongers. All people living in Belarus pay taxes. People save only 5% of their earnings. The money that Belarusian migrant workers bring from Russia are spent in shops, where prices include a 20% VAT.

If I imposed a tax on social parasites, I would also ban them to buy products in shops and pay VAT. Moreover, I would advise to open special shops for social parasites without the value added tax. Prices would decline by 20%. I think such shops would be popular.

I would call on all social parasites across Belarus to unite and create their own party. Do you imagine a party of 445,000 people? They could be represented in the government and a party member could be elected president.

Social parasites will go underground. People will become angry and hold a grudge against the government. The country is not small. We have plenty of forests. Tax inspectors come to ask about your husband, but he is in a guerrilla squad. How long will they visit homes looking for spongers? There's a good opportunity to get Russian citizenship. Russia needs labour force. Procedures for obtaining Russian citizenship can be eased for Belarusians,” Leanid Zaika speaks how to struggle against the illegal ordinance.

Aliaksandr Lukashenka signed ordinance No.3 “On preventing freeloading practices”. The ordinance obliges the Belarusians who did not participate in the financing of public spending or took part in this financing during a period of less than 183 calendar days in the expired year to pay a fee in the size of 20 basic amounts (3.6 million rubles). Disabled persons, pensioners, parents of many children, students, children under 18 and those residing outside Belarus more than 183 days are exempt from the fee.

Failure to pay the fee is punished with a fine of from 2 to 4 base amounts or an administrative arrest.