Explanation of Sick Leave Grants for Belarusians as Detailed by the Ministry of Labor
Temporary Disability Benefits in Belarus: Rules and Calculations Explained
The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Belarus has clarified the guidelines for calculating temporary disability benefits, shedding light on how the payments are determined based on an individual's earnings and length of service.
The minimum payout is tied to the national minimum wage, currently set at 726 rubles. The benefit amount is primarily influenced by the duration of social security contributions to the Fund for Social Protection of the Population. Employees who have contributed for more than a decade receive full compensation equivalent to 100% of their average earnings from the onset of illness. For those with less than ten years of service, the benefit amounts to 80% of earnings for the entire period of disability.
To determine the average daily earnings, data from individual accounting is utilized, taking into account payments from all sources of income over the past 18 months. Additionally, if there is more than one place of work, the benefit is calculated based on the primary employment, taking into account earnings from all employers.
A special arrangement is made for women transitioning from one maternity leave to another. In such cases, the childcare benefit will remain at the previous level, provided the new leave commences immediately following the conclusion of the previous one.
Key Factors in Temporary Disability Benefits:
- The benefit is calculated as a percentage of the employee's average salary, which is primarily based on earnings from gross wages, bonuses, and allowances prior to the disability.
- The compensation rate typically ranges from 80% to 100%, with higher rates possible for occupational injuries.
- A minimum wage threshold serves as a floor for the benefit amount, with the national minimum wage (4.54 BYN per hour or 726 BYN per month as of January 2025) acting as the benchmark.
- Employer contributions to work-related injury insurance generally fund the disability benefits.
In brief, temporary disability benefits in Belarus are primarily determined by an individual's earnings and length of service, with payments continuing for the duration of medically certified incapacity to work. Employees are required to submit official documentation, such as sickness certificates, to qualify. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection oversees these regulations.
The science of calculating temporary disability benefits in Belarus is influenced by factors such as an individual's earnings and length of service in health-and-wellness and business sectors. The finance sector plays a role, with employer contributions to work-related injury insurance funding these benefits, primarily based on the employee's average salary and a minimum wage threshold.
