September 26, Minsk /BELTA/. Additional pension guarantees are being established in Belarus for employees engaged in work with harmful conditions. This is stipulated by Decree No. 441 "On Certain Issues of Occupational Pension Insurance and Pension Provision", which was signed by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko on September 25, as reported to BELTA by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
In accordance with the document, individuals employed in harmful and arduous jobs who, prior to January 1, 2009 (i.e., before the introduction of occupational pension insurance), had worked in harmful conditions for at least half of the service record required for the appointment of an early (preferential) pension from the general pension system, are granted the right to such a pension.
Employees in harmful working conditions who, prior to January 1, 2009, had accumulated less than half of the required service record or had no such service record by the specified date (and consequently would not be entitled to an early (preferential) pension from the general pension system), are granted the right to choose a method of compensation for their employment in harmful work.
Specifically, they can either receive an immediate monthly supplement to their wages during the period of harmful work (in an amount determined by the employer, but not less than the sum of contributions for occupational pension insurance). In this case, the employee will receive additional current income instead of the right to an occupational pension in the future.
Alternatively, they can opt for occupational pension insurance and receive an early or supplementary occupational pension in the future, formed from employer contributions to this insurance. Furthermore, to facilitate the accumulation of more substantial occupational pension savings for the employee, the decree provides for an increase in the contribution rates paid by employers for occupational pension insurance from January 1, 2014.
The decree enters into force on the first day of the month following its official publication, and paragraph 2 of the decree, which provides for an increase in contribution rates for occupational pension insurance, enters into force on January 1, 2014.-0-