Romanian Mothers Protest Monday Over Child-Rearing Benefit Cut

Participants in Monday's protest demand that the current child-rearing benefit rate be maintained at 85% of the parent's average income for the previous year.

The organizing mothers, members of an Internet community, say they have gathered over 21,000 signatures against the benefit cut in an online petition, which they will submit to Romania's Labor Ministry.

Three hundred parents and supporters are expected to attend, together with their babies, "the main victims" of the benefit cut.

The group of mothers says the overall sum allotted to child-rearing benefits in March was little under RON190 million, a small amount compared to the EUR100 million (1EUR=RON 4.1785) acquisitions made by state-run companies and public sector institutions during the first quarter of 2010.

The press release also says that the current child-rearing benefit level lead to an increase in Romania's childbirth rates for the past two years, as the country ranks last by childbirth rates out of all European Union countries.

Romania's Antidiscrimination Alliance For All Dads, or TATA, has announced it will also stage a babies' rally in front Government headquarters on June 1, the International Children's Day.

Romania's Government will reduce child-rearing benefits starting June 1, said Tuesday Andreea Paul-Vass, economic adviser to Prime Minister Emil Boc. The Labor Ministry is still debating whether to lower the yearly income percentage or allot a fixed rate to all beneficiaries. Official sources say the Ministry will opt for the fixed rate of RON600.

Romanian President Traian Basescu said Sunday, after talks with union confederation leaders that benefits for the disabled and children would not be diminished, while all other subsidies are subject to "analysis, decrease or annulment".

In TV recording presented Monday by Romanian news channel Antena 3, the President said that social benefits, "including Pampers diapers for babies", have turned Romania's budget into one of a social assistance.

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