In the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine the decree is registered about accepting bill No. 3613 as a basis, which will allow to withdraw debts for communal services from salaries, pensions, and even by seizing property.
ElitExpert analyzed the scandalous bill in more detail.
Utility workers will be able to appoint debtors
In the explanatory note to the draft law, it is said that the problems of the population's non-payment for services significantly complicate the financial condition of utilities enterprises. Due to such huge debts, utility workers allegedly cannot pay for resources on time and conduct economic activities - repair and modernize networks, pay taxes. That is, we are not even talking about the debts of the state, but various commercial structures.
In order to help suffering utility workers, the draft law proposes to introduce mandatory debt restructuring. That is, if you have unpaid debts, you will be forced to sign a contract in which you acknowledge that you are a debtor. At the same time, the utility companies themselves will recognize you as a debtor even without a court. And this opens the way for unscrupulous representatives of housing and communal services to hang a non-existent debt on a person. Of course, one can prove one's right in court, but not every citizen can afford the corresponding costs.
Salary and property in payment of debt
In addition, debtors can be fined. If you have a debt and you refuse to sign an agreement on its restructuring, then the utility companies will file a lawsuit in order to collect a fine from you. For debts of more than a year - a fine of 20% of the amount of the debt. For overdue payments within two years - a penalty of two years - 30%. If you have not paid the utility bill for three or more years - 50% of the debt.
But this is only the first way to eliminate debts. The draft law prescribes the second one, which is more severe. So, if it is proven in court that you are a debtor, then up to 50% of your salary and up to 20% of other income - social benefits or pensions - can be taken from your salary. Moreover, the draft law even prescribes a mechanism for seizure of property, for example, a car or an apartment. The reason for this may be three overdue payments.
It did not do without the IMF
It is interesting that this draft law was submitted to the parliament in June of this year, and in September it was included in the agenda, but it was not given the go. Given the fact that this is almost the most scandalous bill in recent years, many people's deputies have renounced it.
However, they are trying to promote him again. The reason is simple - it is required by the International Monetary Fund.
In May of this year, the IMF agreed to issue another portion of loans to Ukraine in exchange for a number of obligations. The memorandum between the fund and our country states that Ukraine should improve the payment discipline of the population. There are no details on how to do this in the memorandum itself. But, apparently, the People's Deputies decided to fulfill this obligation through this draft law.
