We discuss with Elena Ovchinnikova, Head of the Labor, Employment, and Social Protection Department of the District Executive Committee, the results with which the social protection system of Beshenkovichi region is concluding 2025 and entering 2026.

— The doors of our department's offices, the Territorial Center for Social Services for the Population of the district, which will soon celebrate its 25th anniversary, are always open to those who find themselves in a difficult life situation or need state support, — says Elena Stanislavovna. — Our main tasks are the timeliness and correctness of accrual and payment of various types of pensions and benefits, control over compliance with legislation in the field of labor payment and protection, ensuring employment of the population, providing targeted social support to low-income families and citizens in difficult life situations, and others on which people's well-being depends. Behind every statistic are the real destinies of the district's residents.
As President of our country Alexander Lukashenko noted at a recent meeting of the All-Belarusian People's Assembly, strong regions and the well-being of every citizen are our main focus.

In the Beshenkovichi district, social services for citizens and families in need are provided by the Territorial Center for Social Services for the Population. The center has organized the work of 7 departments, a carpentry workshop, a funeral goods store and a funeral hall in Beshenkovichi, a social hairdresser, a "Ritual Goods" retail outlet, and a social laundry in the agro-town of Ulla. Since March, the TCCSP has also been providing services related to the preparation of the deceased's body for burial.

The center employs 176 people, 81 of whom are social workers. Another 8 people work in the administration to reach every resident of the district and provide necessary assistance and support, regardless of the remoteness of the settlement.

The target indicator of the state program "Social Protection for 2021–2025" is the number of elderly citizens and disabled people covered by social services. With an annual target of 101.3%, it reached 107.2%.

There are 5540 people registered with the TCCSP. Directions of social services for the population are developing, allowing elderly citizens and disabled people to live independently at home. 644 people are under comprehensive home care in the social home care department.

For incapacitated citizens who cannot live independently, the district has a round-the-clock stay department for the elderly and disabled, where 39 people received assistance. To ensure safe stay and constant supervision during the day, a day care department for the elderly operates, where 246 citizens received assistance.

Disabled people receive assistance in restoring or compensating for abilities to self-care that have been impaired or lost due to illness, and in preparing for independent living, in the social rehabilitation and habilitation department, where 122 people received assistance.

In the departments of the Social Service Center, there are 18 clubs, 26 hobby groups, and 4 rehabilitation and labor workshops. 1900 citizens received more than 4200 paid one-time social services, which is 506 more.

?— What new forms of social services are most in demand in our region?

— The caregiver service. It was used by 23 incapacitated citizens who have completely lost the ability to self-care and move.

?— In difficult life situations, residents of the district also receive material assistance from the state…

— From the funds of the Social Protection Fund for the Population, in the first three quarters of the year alone, 207 pensioners and disabled individuals who found themselves in difficult life situations received material assistance totaling 14.6 thousand rubles for the purchase of medicines, firewood, paid surgeries, examinations, etc. 394 people received state targeted assistance in the amount of 288.8 thousand rubles. This includes monthly and one-time social benefits, as well as benefits to cover the costs of purchasing diapers, and assistance in providing food products for children under two years of age. One-time material assistance for preparing children for the new academic year from the district budget was provided to 165 large families raising 344 children, in the amount of 50.3 thousand rubles.

4 families, 2 of which are raising a child with a disability, receive nanny services free of charge. The escort service for persons from among orphans and children left without parental care covers 7 people. Social patronage services are provided to 60 families raising minor children, including 17 families with children with disabilities.
Specialists of the Territorial Center for Social Services annually study the material and living conditions of the aforementioned families, establish circumstances requiring external assistance on various issues, and provide informational and advisory materials.

13 large families received the status of a large family. A "crisis" room is available to assist individuals in crisis, whose health and life are at risk (having experienced psychophysical violence, being victims of human trafficking, being in conflict with other family members).
If a person finds themselves in a difficult life situation that objectively disrupts their normal life activities and is difficult to resolve independently, they can always contact the department or the Territorial Center for Social Services, where a call center operates. The hotline number is: 8 (02131) 6–53–24. On business days, applications are accepted by phone at 8 (02131) 6–53–60.

?— What is the situation in the labor market?

— 13.1 thousand people live in our district, of which 6.8 thousand live in the urban settlement and 6.3 thousand live in rural areas. The number of employed in the economy in January-October was 5175 people (at the beginning of the year, the working-age population in the district was 6623 people). The main reasons influencing the decrease in the number of employed in the economy are the excess of mortality over birth rate, the decrease in the working-age population, external migration, and the liquidation of enterprises.
In January-October, 806 people were hired by enterprises and organizations in the district, which is 21.8% more than in the same period last year. 1026 people were dismissed. The ratio of hired to dismissed employees was 78.6%, which is 2.4 percentage points lower than in January-October 2024.
No mass layoffs have occurred. Labor market monitoring is constantly carried out. Over 11 months, 462 people have been employed on a permanent basis, including 202 unemployed individuals. 17 were employed in newly created jobs through the establishment of new enterprises and production facilities.

As of November 1, the number of unemployed remained at last year's level, totaling 29 people. The registered unemployment rate is 0.6%. For the first time in four years, the Beshenkovichi district is not classified as a territory with a tense labor market situation.

In the new year, the main objective for ensuring a balanced labor market will be the consolidation of internal labor resources. This will be achieved through the effective utilization of existing labor potential, ensuring rapid entry of youth into the labor market, introducing additional incentives to activate labor for individuals of pre-retirement age and persons with disabilities, and attracting qualified foreign labor.

?— What else is among the priority tasks for 2026?

— To provide all social services and ensure their accessibility for people with disabilities, the reconstruction of the former SPC building on Kommunisticheskaya Street must be completed to house the social rehabilitation and habilitation department for persons with disabilities. A specialized vehicle with a lift is planned for the transportation of people with disabilities.
The introduction of stationary-substituting forms of social services, including the development of remote forms, home care forms, and the organization of long-term care, will also help to improve the accessibility and quality of social services.

The modern pace of life necessitates the search for convenient and quick ways to receive socio-psychological services, consultations, and informational discussions with specialists, as well as online classes in clubs and circles of various orientations. This is especially important for people with limited mobility, the elderly, those who value their time, or simply prefer the comfort of home.

?— Elena Stanislavovna, what would you like to wish your colleagues and service veterans on your professional holiday?

✓— Working in social protection means giving a piece of your heart to people every day. Our profession requires not only deep professional knowledge but also immense patience, sensitivity, and empathy. I wish everyone inexhaustible energy to implement all planned initiatives and harmonious teamwork. Thank you for your hard work! May each working day bring a sense of satisfaction from the help provided to people, and may kindness return to you a hundredfold. I wish you all strong health, well-being, and prosperity for you and your loved ones!

Larisa PAVLOVSKAYA.

"Zarya"