Social service providers will need accreditation

The public associations and religious organizations that intend to provide social services for the population will need accreditation. A bill to this effect was passed by Parliament in the first reading on May 11, Info-Prim Neo reports. The bill was submitted by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection and Family. Minister Valentina Buliga said in Parliament that it’s not known how many social service providers work in Moldova and of what quality these services are. The law is designed to improve the quality of the social services provided and to make sure that the rights of social service providers are respected. According to the bill authors, the simple registration of the nongovernmental organizations, religious denominations and other organizations that provide social services does not demonstrate the ability to provide social services by ensuring the beneficiaries’ security and respecting the minimum quality standards. Under the bill, a national council for the accreditation of social service providers will be set up. Socialist MP Igor Dodon said that his group will not vote in favor of the bill because the state cannot afford to run a new organization with a budget of almost 1 million lei. On the other hand, Liberal-Democratic MP Veaceslav Ionita said that the quality compliance system should be accredited and such an accreditation body is necessary.