MINSK DISTRICT, 31 December (BelTA) – Child benefits should not be reduced, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he talked to the staff of the Belarusian Research Center for Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Immunology and journalists on 31 December, BelTA has learned.
The president was asked about a possibility of reducing the period of maternity leave.
Aleksandr Lukashenko recalled that in previous years, Belarus had already streamlined various perks and benefits for certain population groups. “Now we have a better understanding of what benefits we have. The government has suggested revising some perks and benefits. I said: no, we are not going to do it now,” the head of state said.
Nevertheless, it gave rise to speculations that some perks and benefits will be scrapped. “There is no talking about this,” Aleksandr Lukashenko assured. “As for children, we are unlikely to resort to this, because the country's biggest challenge is the demographic problem. Therefore, children will have it all,” the head of state added.
The president noted that the family capital program had recently been extended in Belarus; and the authorities are dealing with the issue of prompt construction of homes for families with many children.
“It will be a disaster if our population does not grow. Therefore, I do not think that we will revise the perks and benefits related to children. Scrapping or reducing maternity leave is out of question so far,” the head of state said.
