MINSK, 11 June (BelTA) – It is essential to build more rented housing for workers of the social sector, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he heard out a report on the draft resolution of the government “On citizens with priority right for rented housing” on 11 June, BelTA informs.
“An important issue, which I would like to discuss with you, pertains to the provision of rented housing to workers of the social sector. However, one of the key tasks for the government in the coming five-year period is the development of regions. And the development of regions is impossible without workers of the social sector,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
He added that it is essential to support various categories of workers of the social sector, including teachers and doctors. “I do not conceal that they are the pillars of our society, not only the pillars in professional sense. They are often engaged in various national events,” the president said. He noted that people are now grateful to doctors for their work in the complicated epidemiological situation. However, the resolution of the housing issue is more important for doctors than the words of gratitude.
“We have already determined our objectives and have examples of such housing. There are such homes in Borovlyany. They are affordable and very comfortable. This is how we can settle a housing issue for young doctors and teachers. This is not just a dormitory (although it is called this way). If I was given such in apartment in that dormitory when I was younger… These are affordable and feasible projects. They will not pay back, but still people pay enough for rented housing. Therefore, I cannot say that this is a terribly lossmaking project. We need to build more rented housing, we need to prioritize such projects, especially for doctors, teachers, workers of culture,” Aleksandr Lukashenko believes. “Of course, it is especially relevant for our regions. But it is also important for Minsk. We need to pay more attention to regions. Then the employee turnover will be reduced, fewer people will go abroad to earn €900-1,000 for their regular needs. This issue should be a priority in the future.”
Speaking about the draft resolution, the president asked if all issues and categories of workers of the social sector were taken into account. According to the president, one should decide if it makes sense to provide reducing coefficients for rented housing out of hand. “Some people can pay for rented housing themselves, while other people need support. We need to pay attention to this issue,” he explained. “And the main thing is the effect that we will get from this decision. There should be one effect: people should stay where they are, they should live and work in their country, they should work efficiently.” Aleksandr Lukashenko added that the work on the housing issue began long ago, and the decision should be made as soon as possible.
Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko said that the draft resolution was prepared by the government jointly with oblast executive committees. “As of today, the fund of rented housing includes 148,453 apartments, 92% of this housing is inhabited. In the past two years and in Q1 2020 about 4,500 rented apartments were given to people on waiting lists,” the vice premier said.
In accordance with the Council of Ministers' Resolution No. 535 of 11 July 2016, priority candidates for rented housing were coaches and teachers of specialized sports schools and training institutions, Olympic reserve schools; coaches of national teams in Olympic sports. The authors of the new resolution suggest expanding the list of categories of workers of the social sector with priority right for rented housing.
According to the government, as of today, more than 49,000 workers of the social sector need to improve their housing conditions; and only 5,000 people applied for rented housing. The issue is especially sensitive in Minsk Oblast and Gomel Oblast. About 2,500 healthcare workers, 1,100 teachers, 631 workers of culture signed five-year contracts for rented housing.
The healthcare system has positive experience in providing rented housing to young specialists. In 2017-2019, rented housing was provided to more than 2,200 young doctors. They were given 572 rented apartments, 534 isolated rooms in dormitories, and 1,400 bed spaces. Thanks to the state support and concerted efforts to provide comfortable housing to young socialists, many young specialists stayed where they received their first job assignment. This indicator increased from 69.5% to 83.5% in the past five years. The government believes that the experience of the Healthcare Ministry shows that the priority right of workers of the social sector for rented housing should be envisaged in the legislation.
