The policies on the birth and caring for children existing in Moldova do not motivate the young families to have more children and the women to return to work after giving birth. The three-year parental leave has a negative impact on the social and professional reintegration of women. Such opinions were stated in a public debate staged by the Common Platform for Dialogue of the Women MPs, IPN reports.
Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Stela Grigoras said that a bill was drafted to amend the current legislation. Under this, the parents will be able to choose between two options concerning the parental leave and the size of benefit. The first is the three-year paid leave, as now. The beneficiaries get a monthly benefit of 30% of the salary. The second is a two-year paid leave, while the monthly befit will be 60% of the calculation base for the first 12 months for each child and 30% of the calculation base for the next 12 months.
The minister also said that there was drafted a bill on social benefits for children. This stipulates that assistance will be offered for looking after twins, adopted children or minors who temporary remained without parental care.
Stela Grigoras noted the bill provides that the lump sum offered at the birth of the child will be equal to the minimum basket of goods needed at birth. The data of the Institute of Legal and Political Research of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova show that the lowest value of this basket is 6,000 lei.
Minister of Education Corina Fusu said the state invested not much in the development of crèches in Moldova. The parents must have access to early education. The needs of the children aged between two and three are greater than of those elder than three and thus the financing needed for the education of children of the two age categories is different. “In crèche groups, the costs incurred are higher. For example, they wash the laundry there more often, carry out regular disinfection more often and the food is specific,” she stated.
In this regard, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Liliana Palihovici said that if the state does not have the financial capacity to develop early education, this possibility should be offered to the private sector. “We do not have time to wait for 10-20 years for the state to become richer as the demographic policies show that we must act swiftly. That’s why we will insist on the amendment of the legislation in this regard,” she stated.
UNICEF Representative in Moldova Nune Mangasaryan said the age of two to three is very important in the development of children and, regardless of the status of the parents, the children of this age must have access to different education services. During the first six months of life, the assistance on the part of the state must be so generous that the mother of the child does not have to think about going to work.
