Romanian MEP Wants To Condition Children’s State Allowances

The Romanian welfare system, which grants aid unconditionally, is outdated and will soon be reformed, said Stolojan. The Constitutional Court ruled that granting state allowances based on school attendance is unconstitutional, but, according to Stolojan, schooling, vaccination and medical check-ups represent long-term investments in Romania's human resources.

Last week, Romania's Labor Minister Mihai Seitan said that he hopes a new welfare to be debated this year. Currently, the ministry pays over 12 million indemnities per month, while only 5-6 million people receive aid. Romania's welfare system is one of the most generous and inefficient ones in Europe, said Seitan.

A draft law depriving children of high-income families of State allowances was initiated in early February. At the time, Prime-Minister Emil Boc said he doesn't want to "save budget money at the expense of children", but that children of low-income families should receive more money than those with a high-income background.

Seitan's statements were criticized by opposition members, NGOs, ruling party members and certain fellow democrat-liberals. After debates within the democrat-liberal party, Seitan said early March that state allowances would not decrease, and that low-income families might receive additional aid next year.

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