Understanding market competitive salaries in Belarus is crucial for both employers and employees. A competitive salary attracts and retains top talent, while an uncompetitive one can lead to recruitment difficulties and high turnover. This guide explores key factors influencing market competitive salaries in Belarus.

Factors Affecting Market Competitive Salaries

Several factors influence market competitive salaries in Belarus:

• Job Title and Industry: Certain professions, like IT or finance, typically command higher salaries than others.
• Experience and Skills: Employees with more experience and specialized skills can expect higher salaries.
• Location: Salaries can vary depending on the city or region. Minsk, the capital, generally offers higher salaries compared to smaller towns.
• Education: Educational qualifications often influence salary levels.
• Company Size and Reputation: Larger, well-established companies might offer more competitive salaries and benefits packages.
• Supply and Demand: If there's a high demand for a particular skill set and a limited talent pool, salaries will likely be higher.

Researching Market Competitive Salaries

Here are some reputable resources to help you research market competitive salaries in Belarus:

• National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus: This government agency publishes official statistics on average salaries in Belarus.
• Salary Surveys: Several HR consultancies and online platforms conduct salary surveys in Belarus. These surveys provide detailed information on salaries for various positions across different industries and locations. Examples include the ERI Economic Research Institute and Paylab.com.

Belarus adheres to a nationally mandated minimum wage, ensuring a baseline income for employees.

Setting the Minimum Wage

The Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus is the authority that establishes the minimum wage annually, effective January 1st. The Council consults with republican associations of employers and trade unions before setting the minimum wage. This process adheres to Article 64 of the Code of Laws of the Republic of Belarus on Labor (hereinafter referred to as the Labor Code).

Minimum Wage Calculation

The minimum wage must be at least 30% of the predicted average monthly wage in the country. The National Council on Labor and Social Issues proposes the minimum wage based on the socio-economic development forecast for the year.

Current Minimum Wage

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Belarus is BYN 626.00 per month.

In Belarus, while there are no statutory bonuses mandated by law, many employers offer various bonuses and allowances to attract and retain talent.

Performance-Based Bonuses

Companies often provide bonuses tied to individual or team performance exceeding set targets. This can motivate employees and contribute to a results-oriented culture. Examples of these include sales commissions, performance-based bonuses for exceeding quotas, or end-of-year bonuses based on company profitability.

Social Benefits and Allowances

Beyond the basic salary, companies may offer various allowances to support employee well-being and offset living expenses. Common allowances include meal allowances, transportation allowances, mobile phone allowances, and relocation allowances.

Thirteenth-Month Salary

Though not mandated by law, some companies offer a 13th-month salary as a year-end bonus. This benefit is typically mentioned in the employment contract or collective bargaining agreement.

Understanding payroll cycles in Belarus is essential for both employers and employees. Here's a breakdown of the legalities and common practices:

Legal Requirements

Belarusian law mandates employers to pay salaries at least once a month for employees working under an employment contract. The Labor Code also allows employers to pay salaries twice per month for employees working under a labor agreement.

Common Practices

While the law permits bi-monthly payments, the most common practice in Belarus is to pay salaries once a month, typically at the beginning of the following month. It's a prevalent practice for companies to offer an advance payment of around 40% of the salary in the middle of the current month, with the remaining balance paid at the beginning of the next month.

Additional Considerations

The payroll cycle should be aligned with the Belarusian tax year, running from January 1st to December 31st. The Belarusian ruble (BYN) is the official currency for salary payments, even if the contract mentions a foreign currency.