Starting from the new year 2025, innovations will come into effect in Belarus, most of which concern the social sphere.
First of all, changes are coming in the areas of various benefits, employment, employers’ rights, marital relations, etc.
Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Vadim Ipatov reported on what exactly will be adjusted in the lives of Belarusians, Belta reports .
Benefits
According to him, the law “On Amending Laws on Issues of State Benefits for Families Raising Children” will come into effect on January 1.
The document provides for an increase in the minimum amount of maternity benefits for schoolchildren and female students from January 1.
In addition, the list of grounds for providing benefits for children over three years of age has been expanded.
Parents will be entitled to all types of benefits for the period that a disabled child is in a children's home due to the provision of medical and social assistance.
Those who care for a disabled child will be given the opportunity to undergo training (retraining) at the direction of the employment service while retaining the right to a benefit for caring for a disabled child under the age of 18, the deputy noted.
Allowance for children over 3 years of age will be additionally provided by:
– families with minor children, in which the disabled child has reached 18 years of age and has been assigned the 1st disability group, while one of the parents takes care of him/her and receives the appropriate benefit;
- for a child who is being raised in the mother’s family, if the child’s father, who is obligated to pay alimony, is doing military or alternative service;
– for children receiving vocational, secondary specialized and higher education in full-time form on a paid basis, regardless of the source of payment (including when education is paid for by the organization at the parents’ place of work).
Marital relations
On January 1, the law “On Amendments to Laws Regulating Marital and Family Relations” also comes into force.
The document establishes the procedure for conducting medical examinations of citizens whose children are placed in state care.
In addition, the nuances of establishing and lifting the ban on alienation of property of persons who are obliged to reimburse the costs of supporting children are stipulated.
The issue of issuing duplicate certificates by civil registry offices has been resolved, Ipatov reported.
Another innovation is that the procedure for making changes to individual civil status records has been established.
A document has been defined confirming the absence of obstacles to marriage outside of Belarus.
From the new year, the civil registry office that receives a court decision recognizing a marriage as invalid will consider it grounds for annulling the marriage certificate.
Minors
The law “On Amending Laws on Issues of Preventing Neglect and Juvenile Delinquency” will come into effect on January 12.
The document expands the list of categories of minors for whom individual preventive work will be carried out.
One of the key innovations: minors caught using drugs or alcohol (including low-alcohol drinks, beer) can be placed in special educational institutions not only by a court decision, but also at the request of their parents or legal representatives.
The division of educational institutions into medical and educational ones has been abolished (the conditions for children to stay in both are identical).
Disabled people
From January 1, according to changes in legislation, certain innovations await fathers of disabled children.
Today they can apply for early retirement.
From January 1, a father raising a child without the mother’s participation will have the right to retire 5 years earlier than the generally established retirement age.
In the event of the loss of a breadwinner, disabled children are entitled to an additional increase in their pension.
In fact, the child will receive two pensions: a disability pension and a survivor's pension. Today, there is only the right to choose one of the two types of pension, the deputy explained.
Also, from January 1, the automated information system for recording the accessibility of social infrastructure facilities, “Accessible Environment,” will begin operating.
The institution of quotas for jobs for disabled people is being introduced, which will allow the largest number of employers to be involved in the process of effective socialization and adaptation of people with disabilities.
Administrative liability is provided for unjustified refusal to hire disabled persons referred by labor, employment and social protection authorities.
Employment of the population
From January 1, the provisions of the law “On Amendments to Laws on Employment Issues” will come into force.
The document provides broader opportunities for Belarusians to register as unemployed (not only at their place of residence, but also at their place of stay).
To find work, citizens will be able to register electronically with the employment service, gaining access to the relevant government services.
The period of registration as unemployed or as a citizen applying for employment will be reduced from 18 to 12 months.
The periods for payment of unemployment benefits are also being reduced from 6 to 3 months.
Such payments – for six months – will be maintained for those unemployed 5 years before reaching retirement age and for those who live in areas where the situation on the labour market is tense.
And the amount of unemployment benefits will be determined by the government in agreement with the President.
From January 2025, the rights of employers will be expanded, as well as opportunities for timely recruitment.
The employer receives the right to submit information to the All-Republican Vacancy Bank about the current need for workers – both under employment and civil law contracts.
Animals
From January 1, the first law in the history of Belarus, “On Responsible Treatment of Animals,” will come into force.
They stipulate the issues of microchipping - this is the right of animal owners except for breeders and nurseries.
The latter are required to chip animals before they are sold.
The law permits the use of an animal to protect the life and health of its owner, members of the owner’s family, and their property.
However, animal owners must take measures to prevent unwanted offspring (the measure is aimed at combating stray animals).
Owners will be required to clean up their pet's "waste products" while walking it, unless it is a guide dog.
A ban is being introduced on the sale of dangerous dogs that “require special responsibility of the owner” to minors.
Walking an animal is permitted only on condition that the owner has ensured the safety of other citizens and animals.
It is prohibited to bring animals (except guide dogs) into retail outlets where food products are sold, as well as into catering establishments.
The law specifies cases when the right of ownership of animals is limited or terminated.
Religious organizations
The vice speaker added that changes regarding the activities of religious organizations will come into force on January 6.
We are talking about issues of property relations of such organizations, their use of real estate, rules for liquidation of the organization, etc.
