If state cannot provide decent allowances, it should not impose restrictions, ombudswoman

If the state is unable to pay decent childcare allowances for the period of the maternity leave, it should at least allow the mothers to earn additional incomes, consider ombudswoman Aurelia Grigoriu. She referred to a case that happened in Hancesti district, when a woman was told to pay back the childcare allowances of 3 900 lei she received during a year because she worked while she was on maternity leave, Info-Prim Neo reports. The woman said that she had to wok as a cleaner on a salary of 600 lei as the childcare allowance of 300 lei a month did not cover the family’s needs. Her husband is sick and does not work. Contacted by Info-Prim Neo, Aurelia Grigoriu said that the monthly allowance of 300 lei does not cover the minimum subsistence level for a child. As the state cannot provide appropriate social protection, additional measures should be taken to socially support the mother and child. She also said that they are examining not only this case, but also the general situation in the country. Recommendations are formulated for the relevant bodies. “We are determining how many mothers paid back the money to the state because they worked and how many mothers are yet to return the money. We will suggest amendments to the legislation in this respect,” said Aurelia Grigoriu. She explained that Moldova does not have a law guaranteeing the minimum subsistence level. There is only a Government Decision that describes the method of calculating the minimum subsistence level. The Human Rights Center in 2010 submitted recommendations to the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family. As a result, there was drafted a bill on the minimum substance level that is now being debated. Aurelia Grigoriu also said that if the rights of the mother and child are violated, the cases can be tried in court. Under the legislation, the uninsured persons for the period of the maternity leave receive by 300 lei a month during a year and a half from the state budget. The insured persons are paid a sum calculated based on the salary from the state social insurance bidet during three years.