"Chamber" approved Lukashenka's decree on forced labour

Now the unemployed should pay duty of 20 basic units.

On May 6 Deputies of the "Chamber of Representatives" approved resonant Lukashenka's Decree No. 3 "On Prevention of Social Dependency."

The Minister of Labour and Social Protection Maryianna Shchetkina says "the Decree is directed on social responsibility of citizens for financing of public expenditures", BelaPAN reports.

- There should be no labels "spongers". If a person does not participate in financing, he is subject to pay a certain amount. He is a citizen, the Minister stressed.

Shchetkina called legalization of labor activity one of the Decree's objectives:

-It is not about how to load the budget with money. It is about person's involvement in the financing of government spending.

The Minister also says there will be monitoring of the situation.

- Recently, it has been of explanatory nature. There were no constructive proposals, she notes.

She also notes the Decree is of a temporary nature.

"The Decree is temporary. As soon as an integrated information system with social e-cards launches, it will be repealed. The sum will be different", Shchetkina said.

It should be reminded that the document obliges citizens of Belarus, residents from foreign countries and stateless persons who do not participate in the financing of government spending or participating in such financing less than 183 days in the past year, on payment of a charge equivalent to 20 basic units (Br3.6 million).

According to experts, today there are about 400 thousand people, who can be considered "social dependents".

The Decree caused controversy in society and sharp criticism of independent experts, who called it "a classic example of the use of forced labor".

Analysts also warn about serious costs of the Decree. They say the levy will bring less expenditures then the work of police and officials.

Besides, there is a concern that the government may apply the Decree to civil activists as another way to put pressure on those who are against the government.