Changes in social security regulation covering the minimum wage, base amount and pension age came into effect in Belarus on 1 January, BelTA has learned.
Minimum wage
The minimum monthly wage was revised upwards from Br305 to Br330. That was formalized by the Council of Ministers' Resolution No. 870 “On establishing the minimum monthly wage” as of 5 December 2018.
A minimum wage is the lowest remuneration that employers can legally pay their workers in normal working conditions for the work performed during a normal working period provided an employee performs his/her duties properly. A collective agreement (contract) can set a different minimum wage, but it should not be below the price floor established by the law.
Base amount
The base amount is revised in Belarus once a year. The base amount was previously revised on 1 January 2018. Back then it went up from Br23 to Br24.5. On 1 January 2019 the base amount was increased to Br25.5 in line with the Council of Ministers' Resolution No.956 as of 27 December 2018. The base amount is used to determine several welfare benefits, scholarships, taxes, duties, fines, and other payments.
Retirement age
The retirement age has been incrementally increasing in Belarus. On 1 January it was set at 61.5 years for men and 56.5 years for women. In other words, men born from 1 January to 30 June 1958 and women born from 1 January to 30 June 1963 will reach their pensionable age in H2 2019.
The minimum insurance period to qualify for a pension will increase from 16.5 to 17 years.
Utility tariffs for unemployed
The implementation of the decree on employment promotion is reaching its active phase. On 1 December a database of the unemployed was compiled. Since 1 January the unemployed who own or rent an apartment cannot qualify for government subsidies for hot water. Starting from 1 October 2019 the same will pertain to heat supply. The new tariffs will be indicated in utility bills.
Written by belta.by
