It is important to mention that the Law on Material Support to Families with Children in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (FBiH) was adopted, which enabled the increase of child allowances, and which enabled compensation for unemployed mothers.
In order for the Law to enter into force, the support of the second house, the House of Peoples of FBiH, will be needed.
68 deputies voted for this law, four abstained and there were no votes against.
The mentioned law was clarified by the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Vesko Drljaca.
Elimination of discrimination
”The Ministry, in cooperation with the relevant cantonal ministries and non-governmental organizations, drafted this Law. Analyzes have shown that the existing law is unfair, and the types of rights and the number of benefits depend on the place of residence of the children. Through the existing legal provisions, we will eliminate the existing discrimination, determined by the place of residence, establish a sustainable and fair social system of support for families with children, equalize children’s rights in FBiH, mitigate the consequences of poverty, because it is known that there is 20 percent of poor families, and help families through material assistance for raising, upbringing, and educating children, ” stressed Drljaca.
He explained that the Government had included 12 amendments and that most of them were amendments submitted by the deputies in this House.
55 percent of the lowest wage
This law determines the following rights: The right to child allowance, The right of mothers who are not employed, and other rights that remain in the canton and local self-government units.
So, the right to child allowance will be exercised by children up to the age of 18, if the income per household member does not exceed 40 percent of the lowest salary in the FBiH.
Namely, the amount of the child allowance will be 19 percent of the minimum wage (103 BAM), which, according to Minister Drljaca, is an average increase of about three times compared to the existing allowance.
The right of non-employed mothers means the right of mothers who are registered with the competent employment service or are in regular schooling, without any special conditions.
The amount of the maternity allowance will be 55 percent of the minimum wage.
E.Dz.
Source: Avaz
