Entrepreneurs to pay Br7 mln to social security fund even if not operating

Entrepreneurs contribute to the NSSF on their own, regardless of income or lack thereof. Such changes have been in effect from the beginning of the year, and money is to be paid before March 1, 2015.

"This is for everyone. It is paid before March 1 for the previous year. Therefore, the sum is considerable. Only if you suspend operations officially, you may not pay," officials at the Minsk City Department of Social Welfare said.

The amount of monthly insurance premiums for each entrepreneur is more than half a million. It is  nearly 7 millions for the year.

But there are exceptions.

"Those working under an employment contract, pensioners, foreigners and full-time students studying for free. Their pay is optional," social protection fund staff named those who are lucky.

Entrepreneurs will accumulate big debt, predicts businessman Ales Makayeu.

"Tens of thousands of entrepreneurs are not working now. We had a similar situation in 2004-2005, when 50 thousand entrepreneurs owed the fund money. At the time, some entrepreneurs had a debt of 1.5 - 2 thousand dollars," says Ales Makayeu.

The issue was raised several times - to no avail, summarizes one of the leaders of entrepreneurs' movement Anatol Shumchanka:

"The one time you don't pay is when on sick leave. But even this does not always help."

As of April 12, 2013, the database of the Unified State Register had 829,481 entrepreneurs, of which 256,408 - active ones. But now all of them have to pay the contribution of 7 millions a year.

Photo: odsgomel.org