State Work & Employment
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Belarus’s Labour Ministry: payday can be moved only by following the procedure, with one month’s notice

An employer must warn the employee in writing no later than one month ahead and sign a supplementary agreement. If the employee refuses the new terms, severance pay is due, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection said.

Andrey Lobovich — Belarus's Labour Ministry: payday can be moved only by following the procedure, with one month's notice
In the illustration: Andrey Lobovich

An employer cannot simply move the day wages are paid: according to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Belarus, the established procedure must be followed. The ministry considers a change of payment dates to be a change of essential working conditions.

According to the ministry, wages are paid at least twice a month. The specific days must be clearly set out in the collective agreement, the accord and the employment contract.

The first step is a written warning to the employee no later than one month ahead. The employer must then sign a supplementary agreement to the employment contract.

If there is a collective agreement or accord, it must be amended too. After that, an order or directive is needed, with which the employee is familiarised against signature.

An employee has the right to refuse to continue working because of a change in essential working conditions. In that case the employee is dismissed, given the work record book and receives a final settlement. It includes severance pay of no less than two weeks of average earnings, the Ministry of Labour reports.

According to the ministry, instead of a specific day it is not permitted to give a range such as "from the 10th to the 15th" or a formulation such as "no later than the 15th": this is a violation.

The ministry also considers it impermissible to move the day money is transferred to another date without the procedure established by law.

In August 2026 the Ministry of Labour explained that changes in essential working conditions include changes to working hours, the pay system and the form of employment. An employer has the right to change such conditions if the employee continues to work in the same qualification, position or profession.

Photo: t.me/zhitkovichi_rik
Photo: t.me/zhitkovichi_rik

The ministry gave the same list in November 2025 and in March 2025.

According to the World Bank, inflation in Belarus in 2025 was 6.6% and unemployment 3.4%. The IMF forecasts inflation of 5.1% for 2026.

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