Belarusians outraged by tax on ‘idlers’: Proof provided by Belsat TV to go to Lukashenka

Pavel Sevyarynets, a co-chairman of the organizing committee of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, has attempted to inform the presidential administration and Alyaksandr Lukashenka of a real number of Belarusians who want the notorious decree on ‘social parasites’ to be revoked. His report will be based on the results of the web campaign by Belsat TV.

(UPD) “I hope that the message will reach the person whom it is addressed to. Protesting might result in revoking the decree annulled,” Pavel Sevyarynets told belsat.eu.

The politician also said the administration’s employees accepted ‘notice papers for idlers working there’ and the screenshots of the survey on Belsat TV fanpage on the social network “Odnoklassniki”. On February 17 there will be a ‘continuation’, he promised.

“We will be there at 14.30. Who cares – join us! The gathering spot is the main entrance of the building in Karl Marx Street, 38,” the politician said on Facebook on Tuesday.

In April 2015, president Alyaksandr Lukashenka signed Decree Nr 3 that 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).

On February 3, during the Big Talk with Head of State, Lukashenka said the introduction of the so-called decree on idlers had sparked a backlash only among a few thousand persons.

In response, Belsat TV launched the web campaign ‘Open Lukashenka’s eyes to the truth – let’s show how many of us!’ Everyone had an opportunity to express their outrage at the order to pay ‘social parasites’ tax by liking or sharing the post.

It turns out that there are much more discontented citizens than the Belarusian leader could imagine: 1.3 mln users viewed the post, it has over 180,000 likes (and is still being liked), almost 5,300 shares and over 2,500 comments.

In late December, Pavel Sevyarynets organised an action of solidarity with Belsat TV, the participants of which were later fined by the Belarusian authorities.

• Depardieu sings praises to Lukashenka: Tax on parasites is a great idea
• History repeats itself: Lukashenka’s tax on idlers similar to Kaiser’s order in occupied Belarus
• Back in USSR: Penalties for ‘social parasitism’ may be re-introduced in Belarus

Belsat.eu