What is the unemployment benefit in Belarus. Unemployment benefits: how much they receive in Belarus and neighboring countries

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The unemployment benefit in Belarus is much lower than in other countries Western Europe but also in the CIS countries. Why did this happen and how to change the situation?

Photo: tvk6.ru

Benefit - nowhere less

Belarus lags far behind other CIS countries in terms of the amount of benefits that the state pays to the unemployed, according to the latest data from the CIS Statistical Committee.

Thus, in Azerbaijan, the average unemployment benefit in February 2016 (in equivalent) was $166, in Moldova - $67, in Ukraine - $56, in Tajikistan - $37.

At the same time, unemployment benefits in Belarus are set at $12. In Russia, a similar allowance is differentiated, its size ranges from 11 to 63 dollars.

Government program on Social Protection and Promotion of Employment for 2016-2020, adopted in January of this year, involves "improving the mechanism of material differentiated support for the unemployed by bringing the amount of unemployment benefits to the size of the subsistence minimum budget." From March 1, this is 1 million 640 thousand rubles.

At the same time, the document provides that unemployment in the country in 2016 will rise to 2% and remain at this level throughout the entire five-year period (until 2020).

The old system no longer works

For a significant period of time in Belarus there was a concept different from other countries social support. The government considered the problem of unemployment from the point of view that almost everyone can find jobs, respectively, the amount of benefits can be miserable, noted in a commentary for Naviny.by Leading Researcher of the Belarusian Economic Research and Education Center (BEROC) Ekaterina Bornukova.

“In fact, social support went mainly to support inefficient jobs that did not exist in other economies. In those countries where unemployment benefits are more significant, there was no idea to provide everyone with jobs, inefficient jobs were not supported. And the unemployment benefit initially served as a social support”, the expert explained.

This problem affects a large number of people, the BEROC researcher noted. Maria Akulova: "IN state companies there is an excess labor force, and in the event of restructuring a large number of people will enter the labor market, which could lead to huge problems.”

Now, according to Maria Akulova, a paradoxical situation is emerging - jobs are being reduced, since the state does not have funds to support them, but compensatory measures are not being taken. Unemployment benefits do not cope with this role, so it is necessary to think about how to change the system, the expert said.

Where can I find resources to increase benefits?

Since the problem is not new on a global scale, it is possible to use the experience of other countries where a similar problem has been successfully solved, says Maria Akulova.

“In the long term, it is necessary to switch to individual insurance, a funded system, in which the employee himself will give part of the funds to create a safety cushion for himself in case of job loss,”— said the expert.

However “This is possible under the condition of macroeconomic stability and low inflationary expectations. So far, this can be regarded as a development vector for Belarus.”

According to Marina Akulova, it is already possible to reform the system of retraining workers:

“Specialties offered by the Ministry of Labor for retraining and advanced training of the unemployed sometimes do not meet the requirements of the labor market. In many countries, the employee is given the right to decide for himself what specialty to retrain and where. A person receives a kind of education voucher and manages it independently in order to receive an education that would increase his chances of getting a job.

Another direction is the creation of conditions under which people would be interested in working for themselves, that is, creating start-ups, starting a business as an individual entrepreneur. “Incentives are possible through the provision of tax holidays, for example, or through the receipt of subsidies by start-up businessmen under certain conditions,”— said the expert.

In her opinion, in the long run, this will give good results: “The state itself admits that small business is almost the only source of growth for Belarus. And such measures could allow stimulating the development of the private sector in the country.”

It is much cheaper to support the unemployed than to support inefficient enterprises, Ekaterina Bornukova emphasized:

“We spend 4% of GDP to support state-owned enterprises. A small part of these funds would be enough to pay unemployment benefits in such an amount that would allow them to maintain some acceptable standard of living.

According to the expert, the amount of unemployment benefits should not be lower than the subsistence minimum budget. And ideally, it should be tied to the size of the salary at the last workplace.

“According to world experience, in the first few months a person receives an allowance, the amount of which is tied to the salary (insurance component), and then the state pays an allowance in the amount of the subsistence minimum”,- Ekaterina Bornukova explained.

Will the President ruin everything?

It is impossible to find additional resources to increase unemployment benefits while maintaining the current level of government spending, says the head of the Mises Research Center Yaroslav Romanchuk.

In his opinion, it is necessary to transform the budget policy and direct the released funds not to support inefficient enterprises, but to help people: “We need to take a radical approach to budget policy - not to distribute billions of dollars right and left, but to allocate them to support people.”

Yaroslav Romanchuk stressed that it is not worth looking for resources in the field of taxation if the goal is not to destroy entrepreneurship and expel capital from the country.

« The tax burden in Belarus is already prohibitive, so increasing taxes in order to increase unemployment benefits is a road to nowhere,- the expert is sure. — If you increase the burden on the employer, this will lead to the fact that the gray labor market will flourish, and people will try to leave the country to earn more.”

Belarusian officials still cannot appreciate the seriousness of the crisis, they consider the difficulties temporary: “The approach is this – somehow everything is about to resolve. Therefore, nothing needs to be changed, and the president will destroy everything. However, the crisis is serious and for a long time.”

In July, the size of the average unemployment benefit decreased in Belarus. This figure amounted to 26.5 rubles. The amount is 1.4 rubles less than in June. How many people receive unemployment benefits and how does it differ by region?

When compared by regions, the highest unemployment benefit in the Gomel region - 30.6 rubles, and the lowest - in the Grodno region (24.2 rubles). This figure slightly increased only in Minsk and the Mogilev region, in other regions it decreased.

Most of the recipients of unemployment benefits in the Vitebsk region (more than 2.6 thousand people), and the least - in Minsk (almost 1.3 thousand).

Most of the funds for the payment of unemployment benefits in July went to just in the Vitebsk region, where the largest number of its recipients - 68.6 thousand rubles. The smallest amount of money spent on payments to the unemployed last month was spent in Minsk (slightly more than 32 thousand rubles).

The total amount of paid unemployment benefits amounted to almost 347 thousand rubles.

It should be reminded that in Belarus it was repeatedly said that the amount of unemployment benefits could be increased to the subsistence minimum budget. An increase in payments may affect those who have lost their jobs due to a reduction in the number or staff of employees, the liquidation of an enterprise. Now the maximum amount of unemployment benefits is 2 basic units.

However, at the end of May this year, the Minister of Labor and Social Protection Irina Kostevich said that in the near future the unemployed should not expect an increase in benefits.

The Minister recalled that the so-called unemployment insurance is currently being discussed in Belarus, which will allow increasing the amount of benefits. Up to 100% BPM for those who were laid off or ended up on the labor exchange after the liquidation of his organization, up to 50% BPM for those who lost their jobs for other valid reasons. Now the new document is being approved. It is not worth waiting for its adoption in the near future.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed in Belarus has been declining for the fourth month in a row. If at the beginning of May there were 39.8 thousand unemployed people, then at the beginning of August - 8.6 thousand people less. Prior to this, the number of unemployed continued to grow in the country for three consecutive months.

At the beginning of August, there were 31,237 unemployed in Belarus. The leader in the number of unemployed is the Brest region (5549 people). This indicator is the lowest in the Grodno region (3591).

Unemployment benefit is cash assistance to unemployed people who have officially registered with the local employment service. The period from filing an application to making a decision is up to ten days. If the decision is in favor of the applicant, then for 26 weeks out of 12 months from the date of registration, he will receive benefits.

26 weeks, in fact, this is half a year, divided into two equal periods. Payments vary during these periods. The benefit rate depends on the length of service, the duration of the break in the work experience, the salary at the last place of work and the base amount. Unemployment assistance is paid at least once a month, provided that the recipient is in the employment service with the same frequency.

Application procedure and reasons for refusal

To qualify for benefits, you need to register at the local labor exchange - in the territorial department for labor, employment and social protection. Within ten calendar days from the date of registration on the exchange, employees of the employment service must decide whether to assign assistance or refuse. The law provides for the following reasons for refusal:

• Dismissal from the last job on their own initiative.
• Termination of the last employment contract by agreement with the employer.
• Dismissal from last job for dereliction of duty or non-compliance labor discipline. If you were fired for showing up at work drunk, absenteeism, stealing from the workplace, or ignoring safety rules that caused the death or damage to the health of colleagues, the social security authority has the right to refuse.
• A court verdict due to which the employee could no longer perform work duties.
• No income statement.
• Dismissal from the army or expulsion from educational institution for breach of discipline.
• Loss of a source of income due to their illegal activities.
• Dismissal from the last place of employment under Article 47 Labor Code. For example, a gross violation by the boss of his duties, immoral behavior in the field of education, or the refusal of a civil servant to sign an obligation to comply with restrictions to combat corruption.

The employment service for one of the listed reasons may refuse to pay - then the unemployed can sign up for paid public works. After working there for 22 working days, in fact, a calendar month, you can again apply for benefits.

Unemployment benefit amount

If the labor authority has decided to assign unemployment benefits, then a person will receive it for six months every year from the moment the assistance was assigned. That is six months every year. The order of payments and the size are determined by the length of service and breaks in it. Terms are measured in calendar weeks.

• For those who have worked on a full-time basis or in terms of full-time working days 12 or more weeks in the year prior to becoming unemployed, the amount of the benefit is determined by his average wage at the last place of employment. In this case, you will need to provide a certificate of income, and the state will pay 70% of the salary in the first 13 weeks, 50% in the second. In this case, the payout cannot be less than one base value and more than two./li>
• If an employee worked less than 12 weeks of full-time work in the year prior to registration, then the amount of assistance is determined only by the base amount. This also applies to those who have not worked for more than a year, but have at least a year seniority. In such cases, the unemployed person will receive one basic amount in the first half of the payment period and 75% in the next./li>
• For the unemployed with less than a year of service and a long break, the payment in the initial part of the term will be 85% of the base value, in the final part - 70%. The same pay for those who are looking for a job for the first time./li>
• Applicants who receive benefits after working 22 days in public works, at the beginning of the term, the amount will be one basic, at the end - 75%.

Unemployment benefit in Belarus in 2019 per month is:

* including denomination

One base unit in Belarus in 2019 is equal to 25.5 rubles. This means that the standard unemployment benefit will be no more than 51 rubles per month. But there are circumstances in which the amount of assistance is increased:

1. By 10% - if an unemployed child is under 14 years old.
2. By 10% - if there is a child under 18 with a disability, HIV or AIDS.
3. By 20% - if there are three or more children under 14 or two or more minor children with disabilities.

For those who receive a pension or financial assistance from the state, the subsidy will be equal to the difference between the pension or assistance and the benefit that the applicant can claim according to the listed rules.

If there is a length of service that gives the right to an old-age pension, for each year worked in excess of the length of service, the period for paying benefits is increased by two weeks. The amount in this case will be the same as in the second half of the payment period, which the unemployed can legally claim.

Other nuances

If a person is eligible for 52 weeks of benefits, there is no employment opportunity, and there is a year or less left before retirement age, the Department of Labor may offer to grant an old-age pension early.

The amount of the allowance is indexed legally. Payments are retained while performing community service or temporary work. In the latter case, you need to notify the employment service.

Unemployment benefits in Belarus are small, so you cannot count on it as a permanent source of livelihood. But when there is no more income, even modest amounts will help to get through difficult times.

The average unemployment benefit in May in Belarus amounted to 265.6 thousand non-denominated rubles, Belstat reports. This amount equals 15.4% of the subsistence minimum budget per capita. the site compared how unemployment benefits for Belarusians differ by region, and also looked at what amounts are paid to the unemployed in neighboring countries.

The picture is illustrative. Photo: Dmitry Brushko, TUT.BY

The May average unemployment benefit fell by 7,300 non-denominated rubles compared to April.

The Gomel region leads in terms of the average unemployment benefit in May - 303 thousand rubles, or 17.5% of the subsistence minimum budget per capita (Belarusians received May benefits in millions, so the amounts are indicated in non-denominated rubles).

The least in May was paid to the unemployed in Minsk - an average of 232,400 rubles. Recall that the lowest unemployment rate is 0.7% of the economically active population.

For example, in the Minsk region in May, 233 people received unemployment benefits. The average amount of payments was 275 thousand rubles.

In Russia Unemployment benefits depend on the duration of the job search and on the salary at the last place of work. Payments range from 267 thousand to 1.5 million rubles (all amounts in the text are given in non-denominated Belarusian rubles at the exchange rate of the National Bank on July 15. Now the neighboring country is discussing the issue of increasing the minimum payments to 628 thousand rubles, and the maximum to 2 .5 million.

In Ukraine in May, the unemployed received an average of 1.2 million rubles, according to the State Statistics Service.

Polish unemployed can count on an allowance of 4.1 million rubles during the first 90 days after registration at the labor exchange, and then - 3.3 million.

Recall that in Belarus the amount of unemployment benefits is up to the subsistence minimum budget. The increase in payments is expected to affect those who have lost their jobs due to a reduction in the number or staff of employees, the liquidation of the enterprise. Now the maximum amount of unemployment benefits is 2 basic units.

Meanwhile, in Belarus, for the second month in a row, the number of unemployed. As of July 1, 47.2 thousand people were unemployed. In June, as well as, the number of unemployed decreased by 3.3 thousand. The unemployment rate in the country at the beginning of July remained at the same level - 1.1% of the economically active population.

Unemployment in Belarus has its own individual characteristics. And although its level is quite high, trends towards reduction are already emerging. Governmental support helps its citizens to get through hard times. One of their key objectives is to reduce unemployment by creating new jobs and stimulating small businesses.

Official statistics show that unemployment in the Republic of Belarus is under the control of the authorities. In February 2017, the figure of 1.1% was announced, a year earlier 0.8% was announced. But can the official statistics be trusted in this difficult matter? International experts strongly doubt this.

Back in 2018, many enterprises announced staff reductions and related layoffs. At the same time, at the beginning of 2019, there were only 43,300 people who applied to the employment service. At the same time, many small businesses also suffered during the crisis. Few managed to stay with a decent profit. Some remained afloat, but many could not withstand the economic difficulties and went bankrupt, joining the ranks of the unemployed.

In Belarus, mostly middle-aged men have jobs. Women officially have equal rights, but in terms of choice, priority is given to men. This gives rise to many problems in social sphere One of them is female alcoholism. It destroys the life of not only a woman, but also her children. Pregnancy often proceeds with complications and the risks of congenital diseases are high. Young girls are increasingly becoming night butterflies in order to somehow support themselves and their families.

Another one global problem- Youth unemployment. The unemployed are both single and those who have already started a family. This greatly undermines the atmosphere of well-being. This state of affairs contributes to the growth of crime and social apathy among the youth.

The elderly are also victims of unemployment. If they lose their jobs, it is much more difficult for them to find a new job. The difficulties of learning and adapting to new conditions become a stumbling block.

Payout amount

In 2019, the allowance was again increased:

• 178.5 thousand Belarusian rubles for the first 13 weeks after entering the labor exchange. 147 thousand Bel. rub. 13 more weeks. This amount is intended for those who have never worked before, and those who have not worked for the last year and have a total experience of less than 12 weeks.
• 210 thousand Bel. rub. - the first half of the payment period and 157,500 in the remaining time receive the following categories:
  • worked during last year less than 12 weeks;
  • a break in employment of 12 months, but the total experience is more than a year;
  • receiving benefits and at the same time working on public works with payment.
• Those who worked before contacting the employment service. It does not matter if he worked full-time or only part-time. The amount of payments in the first period will be 70% of the level wages last. Second 13 weeks - 50%. But the amount received cannot be more than 420 00 bel. rub. and not less than 210 thousand Bel. rub.

There are cases when unemployment benefits can be increased:

• 10% if there are children under 14 or disabled children under 18;
• The allowance is increased by 20% for parents with many children.

Payments can be received no more than 26 weeks per year. In order for the allowance to be accrued on time, you need to regularly appear at the employment service and come if there are vacancies.

People of retirement age who are not retiring can also receive unemployment benefits. At the same time, the payment period increases by 2 weeks for each year exceeding the retirement age. The same rule applies to those who can retire earlier than the general term.

Possible reasons for refusal

The unemployed may be denied state benefits. There are several possible reasons for this:

• Termination of an indefinite employment contract at the initiative of the employee. If a person loses workplace on his own initiative, he must himself be responsible for his decision.
• Dismissal from a previous job for non-compliance official duties prescribed in the employment contract.
• Dismissal for absenteeism. Absence from work is considered absenteeism good reason more than 3 hours.
• Dismissal for appearing at work in a state of intoxication, using alcohol or drugs in the workplace.
• Theft of the property of an employer, business or other employees with established decision court.
• Violation of safety rules that resulted in the physical harm or death of another employee.
• Failure to submit to tax service income declarations.

In case of refusal of payments, the unemployed person can again go to the employment service with a letter.

The allowance can be assigned if the applicant agrees to work for the benefit of society for 22 days.

Material aid

In addition to the standard allowance, the unemployed in Belarus can count on additional financial assistance. unstable. In total, during 2019, you can receive up to 1260 thousand Belarusian rubles. rub. This payment can be both during the period of study, and for other reasons. To receive government payments in addition to unemployment benefits, you must meet a few more conditions.

The amount of family income must be divided by each of its members, taking into account all material receipts for the last 3 months. The result should not exceed the subsistence minimum established in the region. Participation in paid community service. An applicant for financial assistance must not have the following violations during the year:

• Employment at a temporary job without notifying the service authorities.
• Failure to appear in the authorities social protection without a valid reason, documented. They can be sick leave or an illness of a young child.
• Failure to perform community service without a valid reason. Any reasons must be documented.
• Ignoring job interview referrals. In case of failure to contact the employer within 3 days.
• Refusal to be sent to retraining courses or to work. This is a clear reluctance to get a job.
• Violation of discipline, poor academic performance, absenteeism from classes for retraining or advanced training. Unscrupulousness on the part of the applicant is punishable by deprivation of financial assistance.

To receive financial assistance, you must submit a certificate of income, family composition, and fill out an application. The application is filled out on the spot, on a ready-made form.

Within 5 days, employees of the employment service must make a decision and notify about it.