The Minister of Labor, Social Protection and Family Valentina Buliga denies the reports that the social payments could be decreased or annulled this year. In a news conference on October 26, the minister said that no law aimed at protecting the poorest and most vulnerable groups of people will be abolished, Info-Prim Neo reports. “We assure you that all the benefits will be preserved this year. The recipients will not be deprived of their social rights, while the law on social assistance will be modified to serve the interests of the people. The Ministry aims to ensure the social security of the people and improve the living conditions by implementing efficient, equitable and fair social policies,” Buliga said. According to Valentina Buliga, the lump sum given at the birth of the first child and every next child will be raised by 300 lei from January 1, 2010. The monthly allowance for looking after children aged up to one year and a half will be increased by 100 lei. The childcare allowance for children up to the age of three will be raised by 5%. The minimum allowance for children up to the age of three paid to non-insured persons will rise by 50 lei. The minister added that the state social insurance contribution for next year will remain at the same level as this year - 23% for employers and 6% for employees. The social insurance contribution of 6% for the persons working in agriculture will be paid from the state budget in 2010. Valentina Buliga said the monthly minimum guaranteed income of the deprived families must be ensured by providing social assistance by assessing the monthly average aggregate income of the family and creating conditions for substituting the nominative compensations with social benefits.