Belarus: Amendments introduced to legal regulation of social insurance for foreign nationals.
Presidential Decree no. 534 of 31 December 2015, which entered into force on 1 January 2016, requires foreign nationals and stateless people who are self-employed individuals or work in Belarus to pay state social insurance on the same basis as Belarus nationals. This means that insurance premiums will be estimated and paid by foreign nationals to the full extent as well as by Belarus nationals (34.6%+1%).
We should mention that special regulation is established for nationals of States which are parties to treaties on cooperation in social security with Belarus. These States are, for example, Russia, Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, and Lithuania, among others. First of all, the treaties on cooperation regulate the issue of choice of governing law in the sphere of social security between nationals of corresponding States. As a general principle, either the law of the country where the insured works or the law of the country of the employee’s residence is chosen.
Fees to the Social Protection Fund are paid by organizations with fewer than 100 employees at least once during each quarter. But the rule is that these fees must be paid on the payday no later than the 20th day of the month following a financial quarter
Additionally, the minimum standing with payment of social premiums for old age pension and pension for years of service has increased to 15 years and 6 months. This standing will increase annually by 6 months until it reaches 20 years.
We will be pleased to provide you with legal advice if questions arise.
You can also download our Employment law survey in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe (this is prepared without regard to the legal amendments covered in this article).