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Hiring in Belarus
Belarus is a small country in Eastern Europe, bordering Ukraine and Russia. When negotiating terms of an employment contract and offer letter with an employee in Belarus, it may be useful to keep the following in mind.
Employment contracts in Belarus
The general rule in Belarus is that employment contracts are executed for an indefinite duration, however, they can also be implemented for:
- A fixed term of no more than 5 years.
- A fixed term for a specific project.
- The duration of seasonal work.
- A temporary period to cover the absence of a worker.
Working hours in Belarus
The standard work week in Belarus consists of 40 hours per week, 8 hours per day. The length of a working day including overtime hours cannot exceed 12 hours. Overtime work is allowed only with consent from the employee and with the corresponding overtime pay or additional days off. Overtime work is limited to 180 hours per year, provided that it does not exceed 10 hours a week and must be paid at a rate of 100% over regular pay.
Holidays in Belarus
Belarus celebrates 9 public holidays for which employees are given the day off, including:
- New Year’s Day
- Orthodox Christmas
- Women’s Day
- Radunitsa
- Labor Day
- Victory Day
- Independence Day
- October Revolution Day
- Catholic Christmas Day
Vacation days in Belarus
Employees in Belarus are entitled to a minimum of 24 business days off per year.
Belarus sick leave
The Social Security system in Belarus funds the payment of sickness benefits. Employees are entitled to 80% pay during the first 12 days of sickness and 100% pay for any days thereafter.
Maternity/paternity leave in Belarus
The current maternity leave entitlement in Belarus is as follows:
- 126 days of paid maternity leave. This increases to 140 days if there are medical complications or in the event of a multiple birth.
- 3 years of unpaid maternity leave, and the job position must be secured for the employee to resume their duties upon return.
- If the employee has an additional child during the 3 years of unpaid maternity leave mentioned above, the maternity leave entitlement will start again.
Health insurance in Belarus
Belarus nationals are entitled to public healthcare; however, most employers provide additional health insurance coverage.
Belarus supplementary benefits
Workers in the rapidly growing IT sector pay lower income tax rates, and generally receive higher salaries as well as additional benefits and perks.
Bonuses
The 13th-month bonus in Belarus is considered a gratuity and is not required by local law.
Termination/severance in Belarus
Employers can set a probationary period in the employment contract. The maximum duration of the probationary period cannot exceed 3 months.
When it comes to termination, the employment contract can be dissolved under the following circumstances:
- Upon mutual agreement of both parties.
- Expiration of a labor contract (in the case of a fixed-term contract).
- If initiated by either the employee or the employer.
- If the employee agrees to be transferred to another employer or gets transferred to an elective position.
- If the employee disagrees with moving to another location required by the employer or disagrees with the new labor conditions of their employment.
- If the contract is terminated after a probationary period.
- Due to circumstances beyond one’s reasonable control (force majeure).
If there is not a notice period clause in the contract, then a notice period of approximately 2 months will apply. When the termination is initiated by the employee, then the employee must give at least 1-months’ notice. If an employee is dismissed, they are entitled to 3 months of severance pay.
Paying taxes in Belarus
The social security system in Belarus covers payment of sickness and maternity benefits, which consist of a 6% contribution from the employer (this also covers family allowances, funeral grants, and unemployment benefits.)
In addition, employers must contribute between 0.3% and 0.9% of payroll for Workers Injury benefits and 28% for old age, disability, and survivor pension.
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