Updated at 17:53,27-03-2024

Protests against ‘parasite’ law may be used to shake Belarusian boat – Lukashenka

Belsat.eu

Protests against ‘parasite’ law may be used to shake Belarusian boat – Lukashenka
Protests in Vitsebsk on February, 26
Some forces are eager to use protests against the so-called decree on social parasitism to derail all positive developments in Belarus, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka stated when visiting the National Research Center for Organ and Tissue Transplantation on Tuesday.

Decree Nr 3 signed by president Alyaksandr Lukashenka in April, 2015 established the obligation of the citizens of Belarus, foreign citizens permanently residing in Belarus, stateless persons, who did not participate in the financing of public spending or participated in such financing less than 183 days (six months – ed.) in the past year, to pay a fee of 20 basic units (appr. $230).

“Indeed, we are self-made and we are respected back then. Some people are trying to shake this boat under the guise of ‘idlers’ or something else. They are trying to prove that these are not our lands, by somebody else’s. ‘Idlers’ should know that some are attempting to use them for their own benefit, that they are being used to destroy what we have, to root out the things that we have restored, to impede our development,” Lukashenka said.



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In late February, protests were held in a number of Belarusian cities and towns. The most sizable action took place in Homiel where 3,000 – 4,000 persons gathered. This time, the Belarusian government opted not to break up the protests that later spread from Minsk to other towns. Interestingly, after the protests Alyaksandr Lukashenka left for Russia’s Sochi.

February 20 was the latest date for paying the so-called tax on parasitism. 51,600 Belarusians complied with the demand. In total, about 470,000 received tax office letters. Therefore, every 9th ‘idler’ paid the tax. The state budget has received 15.6 mln Belarusian rubles from them.