Protests have effect? Belarus authorities exempt Homiel suer from paying ‘parasite’ tax
Alyaksandr Syamionau who filed a lawsuit against the tax office has been exempted from paying the so-called ‘parasite’ tax and even given a job of a guard.
The decision was made by Homiel executive committee.
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).
53-year-old Alyaksandr had worked for 28 years, he lived in Russia, where he was engaged in business activities until 2015. Then he had to return home. Since he could not find a job, he lived on his savings. In his lawsuit, he also demanded that decree be recognized unconstitutional.
On February 17-19, people were protesting the ‘parasite’ law in six Belarusian cities. The most sizable actions took place in Minsk and Homiel.
The authorities are seeking to bring down a wave of protest moods in the country, human rights activist Leanid Sudalenka believes.
Friday’s rally in Minsk in one minute
“Our Trade Union of Radioelectronic Industry Workers (REP) congratulates Alyaksandr Syamionau on his victory, because this is a real victory! And I want the authorities to grant a remission of the tax to nearly 200 residents whom we helped to file a complaint to the Ministry of Taxation,” Sudalenka stresses.
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.
