Employers in Moldova with more than 20 employees are obligated to offer 20 percent of the jobs to persons with disabilities, under a new provision of the Law on Social Inclusion which took effect with its publication in the Official Gazette, Info-Prim Neo reports. Minister of Labor and Social Protection Valentina Buliga told a news conference Friday that the employers that will look for pretexts not to hire persons with disabilities will face penalties. The Minister also warned that taxi services will be penalized too for overcharging people in wheelchairs. To further support persons with disabilities, the Government adopted a number of frame-regulations which aim, among other, to promote social inclusion of such people. Starting 1 January 2013, salaries will be offered under the Personal Assistance Program to people who will provide at-home care to the 9,000 persons with severe disabilities living in Moldova. These can be both family members or local social assistants. Moldova is home to 179,815 persons with disabilities, including 14,034 children.