Paid maternity leave should continue even with an earlier return to work, in order to support the positive demographic trend in our country, observed last year year.
Such an idea was launched by Lidiya Shuleva, former minister of labor and social policy, former minister of the economy, on the air of BNR.
"It turns out that Bulgaria has the longest maternity leave in Europe, but this has not had a significant impact on the birth rate. Women staying at home for a long time affects their qualifications. After that, it is more difficult for them to find a job, and they receive lower wages.
We suggest that if a woman decides to return to work before her maternity leave ends, the money she is entitled to should continue to be paid to her in full. To possibly hire a babysitter to help her.
We are currently punishing them – they go back to work and we take away their social security rights. This is not fair and needs to change. We have success in this direction and it is that we have secured 50% of the maternity payment for the first year. We fought for a change in the law. It is already in place, but we want it to be 100%".
A demographic crisis is observed in all developed countries, Shuleva reported.
"In 1990 we had 105,000 babies born, while in 2023 there are 57,478. The good news is that for the first time in 2023 there is a slight increase compared to 2022.
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A 1% birth rate increase is not a baby boom, she explained, however.
"Improving living standards has an impact. Economic development in the country follows the birth rate graph. In addition, last year even more people returned to Bulgaria.
Shuleva noted in the show "12+3" that she is a member of the "Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria", which actively works on opportunities to support families. p>
"The greatest need for support is for children up to 12 years of age. We have developed legislative proposals that reduce the use of flexible working hours by parents and remote work.
The second important thing is the availability of kindergartens in big cities, explained Shuleva.
"The state has money to build kindergartens, but the municipalities cannot cope for one reason or another. We propose to provide a subsidy for private businesses to build gardens, with a commitment that children in them pay the same fees as in public ones for a certain period. Many businesses also have social programs, but the state must support them. It can be partial financing, but for a reduced fee for a certain period.
Another proposal is to create a program for the qualification of babysitters in the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy, said Lidiya Shuleva.