BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

24/05/2007

Belarusian Legislature Withdraws Some Social Benefits

The Chamber of Representatives, Belarus's lower house of parliament, on May 23 almost unanimously passed a government-sponsored bill that abolishes state benefits for certain groups of people, Belapan and RFE/RL's Belarus Service reported. In particular, the bill cancels reduced transportation fares for students, holders of the Veteran of Labor title, and workers who are entitled to reduced fares while on duty. The bill also gives fewer people the right to discounts on utility and phone bills and health services, and reduces the number of people allowed to receive discounted medical services at health resorts. Labor and Social Security Minister Uladzimir Patupchyk told legislators that the bill will help the state save some $170 billion rubles ($80 million) per year. Volha Abramava, the only legislator who voted against the bill, told Belapan that the withdrawal of state benefits should have been carried out as part of broader economic reforms, so that the people affected could understand why they lost their privileges. "A hidden potential for saving budgetary funds could have been found in costly economic sectors instead of the social sphere," Abramava added. To become law, the bill needs to be approved by the upper house -- the Council of the Republic -- and signed by the president. JM

Source:

http://www.rferl.org/newsline/2007/05/3-cee/cee-240507.asp

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