Ars longa, vita brevis: Minsk street artists mock at pusher of tax on ‘social parasites’

Phot. euroradio.fm

Unknown artists have repeatedly expressed their outrage about the infamous tax on ‘idlers’ right in the heart of the Belarusian capital.

Overnight into Sunday, a portrait of Maryana Shchotkina, a former Minister of Labour and Social Protection, appeared on the fence wall not far from Independence Avenue in Minsk. There was also the inscription: “It is me who is the author of the idea of the tax on the unemployed”.

Phot. by Anton Motolko

The portrait’s life was not long: it was removed within an hour. Only shoes remind of the mockery. But the rumour was growing, and residents of Minsk started to lay flowers at the wall. An unknown joker brought even a folder entitled ‘Criminal Case Nr…’.

Phot. by euroradio.fm

On Monday, someone wrote on the wall: “Well, you do understand what is the case”. It is the hallmark phrase of the Belarusian red tape when they do not want to answer direct questions or go into detail and hint that some order was given by president Lukashenka personally.

Decree Nr 3 signed by 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).

In late February, protests were held in a number of Belarusian cities and towns. The most sizable action took place in Homiel where 3,000 – 4,000 persons gathered. This time, the Belarusian government opted not to break up the protests that later spread from Minsk to other towns. Interestingly, after the protests Lukashenka left for Russia’s Sochi.

Lukashenka leaves for Sochi after street protests in Belarus (ENG subtitles)

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. Therefore, every 9th ‘idler’ paid the tax. The state budget has received 15.6 mln Belarusian rubles from them.

Lukashenka vs parasite tax critics (ENG subtitles)

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