IMF Imposed No Conditions On Parental Leave In Romania - Official

Franks' letter is a response to an address by several Romanian non-governmental organizations, dated December 3.

Mothers' association M.A.M.E. said in a press release it called on the IMF to reconsider its position on the relationship between the IMF mission and the measures announced by the Romanian Government.

Franks said Romania undergoes a serious economic crisis, which forced the Government to implement harsh spending cut measures.

Regarding the new measures regulating paternal leave and child-rearing benefits, Franks said the Romanian Executive offers benefits for a period longer than in other European countries.

The Government decided Wednesday that mothers will be able to opt for two years maternity leave and receive up to 1,200 lei (EUR1=RON4.2997) as a child-rearing benefit.

Prime Minister Emil Boc said mothers may opt for two years of leave and a child-rearing aid between RON600 and RON1,200. The alternative is one year's leave, up to RON3,400 child-rearing aid and RON500 per month if the mother chooses to return to work before the first year of leave is up, paid for the remainder of two years.

Mothers who return to work after one year's maternity leave will not receive the RON500 incentive.

People close to the matter said on December 2 the IMF asked the Government to reduce maternity leave to one year and set child-rearing allowance at values ranging between RON600 and RON1,000.

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