From April 1, the parents will be able to go on paid sick leave to look after the sick child if the child is younger than 10. Until now the allowance was given only if the child was under seven, IPN reports.

Nicolae Tabuleac, division head at the National Office of Social Insurance, said the allowance for looking after the sick child will be granted to fathers too. Until now, only the mothers got such an allowance.

If the child suffers from an oncologic disease, the right to get an allowance for looking after him/her until they turn 16 is given optionally to one of the parents or to socially ensured relatives (grandparents and guardians).