The House of Peoples of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina adopted the Law on Material Support to Families with Children in the Federation of BiH, which, among other things, stipulates that the benefit for unemployed mothers will be around 298 BAM for 12 months. Also, the Law envisages an increase in child allowance in FBiH.
35 delegates voted for the law, while one abstained.
As stated, mothers who are not employed or are studying will be entitled without additional conditions, which will amount to 55 percent of the lowest salary (around 298 BAM), and the cantons have the right to increase that amount.
Federal Minister of Labor and Social Policy Vesko Drljaca stated that it is estimated that there will be slightly more than 9,000 beneficiaries of this right.
He expressed gratitude that at today’s session, the House of Peoples of the Federation Parliament adopted the Law on Material Support to Families with Children in FBiH, with one amendment.
“The amendment that was adopted enables the right to child allowance to a child whose incapacity for independent living and work occurred before the age of 15 or during regular schooling, as long as that incapacity lasts,” Drljaca said.
Due to the adopted amendment, the Law will have to be harmonized by the commissions of the House of Representatives and the House of Peoples of the FBiH Parliament in order for the law to enter into force.
Drljaca explained that the law regulates two basic rights of material support to families with children: child allowance and compensation to an unemployed mother.
“The basis for the calculation of these basic rights is the lowest salary in the Federation of BiH in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Law. Currently, the lowest salary is 543 BAM. Children up to 18 years of age will be entitled to child allowance salaries in the Federation of BiH (217 BAM) and that the child is not placed in a foster family or social welfare institution.The amount of child allowance is 19 percent of the lowest salary in the Federation of BiH (103.7 BAM per month) .This right will be financed from the FBiH budget. This year, 50 million BAM is planned in the budget of the Federation for the same purposes “, stated Drljaca.
He underlined that currently the child allowance is financed at the cantonal level and depends on the economic possibilities of the cantons, which pay the child allowance in the monthly amount of 30-50 BAM, and that is irregular.
“For the first time, the Federation is taking over the financing of this right, in the amount of 103.7 BAN, which is three times more than it is now. The Federation is also a guarantee that every child who meets the prescribed conditions will exercise this right,” Drljaca emphasized.
The Law on Material Support to Families with Children in the FBiH is also economically justified because it represents an investment in human resources, especially in a situation of declining birth rates and emigration of young families. The goal is to provide all children with approximately equal material conditions for a healthy family life, BHRT writes.
