‘I’ve never been an idler’. Belarusian commits suicide over ‘social parasitism’ decree?
60-year-old Ayvar Yaskevich, a resident of the Belarusian town of Asipovichy, paid 360 rubles (appr. $180) of the so-called idlers’ tax in October, 2016. On December 6, he jumped out of a window of his flat on the 4th floor.
He left a receipt confirming the payment and a letter in which he said:
“I have never been an idler, rapist or robber. I have been scrupulous about my work throughout my life.”
The man had 34 years of job tenure. At the moment of the tragedy he was a pensioner. In May 2014, he left his job at the local cardboard and ruberoid plant, where he had worked for 30 years. As he was a year shy of reaching retirement, no one wanted to employ him, wife Halina Yaskevich says.
In April 2016, Ayvar Yaskevich turned 60 years old, and a few months later he received a a tax office letter saying the state had recognised him an idler.
As reported earlier, Belarus president Alyaksandr Lukashenka signed the so-called decree on ‘social parasites’ in April 2015. The decree 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).
According to Halina Yaskevich, her husband fell into a a deep depression, but she could not even think he would commit a suicide.
The Belarusian Investigative Committee made an official statement saying that Ayvar Yaskevich’s suicide was not caused by the fact of collecting ‘idlers’ tax’. Investigators refused to initiate a criminal case as ‘no evidence of incitement to suicide had been found.’
- 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
On January 18, a nationwide campaign for cancelling the notorious decree on ‘social parasitism’ was launched by the Belarusian Trade Union of Radioelectronic Industry Workers (REP) and NGO Legal Assistance to Population. Anybody who wants to can sign for the abolition of the decree in REP offices in Belarusian sities and town; trade union activists will be also collecting signatures. The campaign will last until February, 18. One can also sign the petition on the Internet or leave their opinion on the website zvarot.by.
