21 days of vacations is the minimum leave term for Belarusians

Both the state-run and non-state media have written a lot about vacations this week. With only two week remaining before summer ends, it is still acute to talk about vacations. It is never too late to have a rest, especially when the velvet season is just coming up.

Journalist Dzmitry Kirukhin writes in BelGazeta’s special insert Sexus:

“It is absolutely clear to every Belarusian what he or she works 250 days a year for. All those working efforts aim at saving money for 11 months and eventually getting a leave pay and make a budget balance.

If the year is successful, one could save enough for a trip to Turkey or Crimea. Those who have achieved a lesser financial success can count on a trip to Lake Zaslawje in Belarus”.

Dzmitry Kirukhin does not mention yet another option: to skip traveling and pick the leave pay instead but continue working.

It appears that many Belarusians have preferred the latter option. But the state has decided to take care of its citizens. Under a new Labor Code, in order to collect compensation for the leave, one has to first take at least 21 days of leave. The remaining days will be compensated in cash.

Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi reminds about the amendments in the Labor Code. Iryna Kalinina writes in her articled titled “Belarusians To Be Forced to Rest More”: “We will have to rest obediently for 21 days”.

Narodnaya Volya interviews public figures and politicians about whether they have ever been involved in resort love affairs. Judging by their answers, public Belarusians are neither amateurs of love affairs nor even vacations as such.

Aliaksaj Yanukevich, the deputy chairman of the Party of the Belarusian Popular Front says: “Frankly speaking, I traveled to a resort destination only once. It was about three years ago. I had short-lived love affairs during seminars or conferences”.

Pavel Liogki, the head of Alexander Lukashenka’s press office says: “I would tell you with pleasure about my vacations, but you would not wish such a vacation. Presently, I am working hard at my dacha. It has been for the first time over three years that I am granted one week of leave…”

In this regard, ordinary Belarusians don’t differ much from public figures.

“I have not gone on vacations over the past three years. For which period is it possible to get leave compensation? Those were the typical questions from people during a hot line with a lawyer organized by Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi.

While Komsomolskaya Pravda v Belarusi elucidates on legal aspects of travel, the state-run Sovietskaya Belorussia, Vecherny Minsk and Zviazda offer practical information, including sun-bathing tips to avoid health damage. They warn that one should not swim in technical water reservoirs and advise to cover hair under panamas and many other useful things.

Just grab your newspapers, get tips and come on to vacations before summer ends.