The population of the Republic of Moldova, especially employed parents and companies, will be informed about their rights according to the latest legislation on family-friendly policies. These are the two-week paternity leave, which can be taken by each officially employed father in the first year of the child's life; the childcare allowance which can be taken at the parents' choice, in a single year, over 2 or 3 years; the possibility for a pregnant woman to work during the last months of pregnancy and receive at the same time salary and allowance according to the highest income in the family, as well as other important opportunities now available in Moldova. The campaign „Be an informed parent, know your rights!” is organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in partnership with the National Social Insurance House of Moldova (NSIH) and will run nationwide from 17 January to 28 February 2023.
The campaign aims to encourage the target population to make use of the social benefits available to them, to help parents combine family life with work more easily, and to support them to have more children if they want to.
The campaign is carried out in coordination with the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and was officially launched in the presence of representatives of the Government, Parliament, NSIH and UNFPA. The event was also attended by Constantin Postu, father of 4 children, who mentioned that he is employed at a company championing family-friendly policies, Panilino, where there is a dedicated space for children and a childcare professional, so that employed parents can return to work more easily and cope with family and work tasks.
„In 2022, with the support of UNFPA and partners, the Parliament focused on expanding opportunities for young families, which will make it easier for them to combine work and personal life: the allowance of MDL 1000 for families with children up to 2 years old was introduced, a new option to claim childcare allowance for 1 year and two months, amounting to 90% of the mother's or father's income. Also, because we are focusing on engaging fathers in childcare, we have included the possibility for fathers to take paternity leave during the first year of the child's life”, said Dan Perciun, Member of Parliament.
According to Minister of Labour and Social Protection Alexei Buzu, Moldova has made progress in family-friendly policies and it is important for the population to know more about their rights and what options the Government offers in this regard.
„For 2023, one of the priorities of the Ministry of Labour is to continue the already launched initiatives and expand the list of options that will allow flexible working for parents with children. For example, we plan to introduce the possibility of splitting parental leave and an equity bonus for parents who share parental leave. Another priority is the expansion of public childcare services and the piloting of alternative childcare by the end of the year. Encouraging employers to create alternative childcare services for employees is also a priority”, said Alexei Buzu, Minister of Labour and Social Protection.
The information campaign includes video clips, printed materials and direct information sessions for beneficiaries organised by NSIH together with UNFPA in all districts of the country. An estimated 17,000 mothers and fathers, employees, employers, LPA representatives are invited to attend the 35 information sessions, which will be held at the offices of local public authorities, territorial social security houses, etc. of each district. (Click here to access the information sessions schedule).
„Through this campaign, we aim to directly inform the target audience about the rights they have when they become parents, and that they can access them online. During the sessions, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions to the territorial houses' representatives. They will also receive brochures and information leaflets so that they can access the information whenever they need it”, said Elena Țîbîrnă, Director General, National Social Insurance House.
UNFPA Moldova provides support to national authorities in promoting gender-sensitive family policies to support mothers and fathers to harmoniously balance family and personal life and have the desired number of children, including by establishing alternative care services for children under three.
„The campaign is part of UNFPA's priorities to promote men's involvement in child rearing and care, which benefits the whole family. Studies show that where fathers are involved, children's educational performance increases and couple relationships improve. At the same time, these opportunities lead couples to have more children if they want to, which contributes to the country's demographic resilience. For employers, family-friendly policies mean more loyal employees and increased productivity”, said Natalia Plugaru, Deputy Representative of UNFPA Moldova.
As part of the campaign, UNFPA Moldova, in coordination with national partners, has developed a brochure that will be distributed to participants, as well as an information poster, which will be disseminated in post offices and mayor's offices across the country's districts. In addition, video clips were made to inform and encourage fathers to take paternity leave, and employers to grant it, and to inform families about the options available to parents.
NOTE: During the campaign, media representatives will be invited to participate in field visits to talk to parents and employees and amplify the information about the social benefits and rights of every employee and parent in our country.
