Welfare in Romania
Social welfare in Romania is coordinated by the Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection. The system is funded by the taxpayers.[1] There are roughly fifty types of welfare a Romanian citizen can receive.[2] At the moment, it is estimated that 5,9 million Romanians (or half of the active population) are being given a form of welfare.[3] In 2012, the budget granted for the social welfare was of 13.93 billion RON.[4]
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History [edit]
The Ministry of Labor, Family and Social Protection was created in 1920, after the World War I. The purpose of the ministry was to reorganize the social classes and provide aid for the poor people in the Kingdom of Romania. The system worked even during World War II, as the King of Romania himself has encouraged the concept of social welfare.[5]
After the war ended and the Communist regime came to power, Romania became a socialist state, and therefore social welfare became widespread.[6]
In 1990, after the fall of the communist regime, the whole system was reformed. It got divided into multiple categories, and the concept of generalized social welfare got reduced.[7]
Today [edit]
Social welfare is subdivided into multiple categories.
Healthcare [edit]
See article Healthcare in Romania.
Child care [edit]
Giving birth is free. As soon as mothers give birth, they are entitled to vacation. They receive an aid which amounts 75% of their net income, without a limit being set.[8] After the age of two, children receive an allowance up until the age of 18, although they must attend school in order to receive it.[9]
Education in Romania is free. Children must stay in school until the age of 16, and then they can work. Free meals are provided for all children. No one is required to pay for class supplies.[10]
Children up until the age of 18 also receive subsidies for public transportation.[11][12]
Adults [edit]
Naturally, adults are entitled to welfare. The most widespread type of welfare are subsidies for heat and electricity. The municipalities receive funding from the Ministry of Labor in order to do that (per gigacalorie) . In the past years, the funding has been reduced and not everyone can obtain that, unless they have a small income.[13]
Adults are also able to apply for unemployment aid. The amount varies from case to case, but is generally comparable to the minimum wage (which is 700 RON). The unemployment aid can be granted if the payer has contributed and if they can prove they're looking for a job. No one receives this forever, as it is time-limited.[14]
People with disabilities also receive welfare. The amount depends by the disability and is normally granted until the end of their lives. It has been discovered that some beneficiaries of this are not truly handicapped, and in consequence there have been plenty of debates stirred on this theme.[15]
There is also a subsidy for death. Welfare is being given out when a person dies, and it amounts 2000 RON, and it is given regardless of the circumstances. A certificate of death is required.[16]
Elderly [edit]
Pension is provided by the state. Women retire at the age of 62, and men at the age of 65.[17] Pension is granted nonetheless of the contributions made during one's lifetime. The minimum pension given is 350 RON. It increases with the contribution a person made. Some retirees have pensions that overcome the medium salary, but a third of them live off with a modest pension.[18]
Retirees also receive subsidies for public transportation.
Controversy [edit]
One in two Romanians receive a type of welfare.[19] They are commonly referred to as "socially assisted" (asistați social in Romanian) by the taxpayers.
It is estimated that 1.8 million people are not receiving it for a real reason and that legally, they should not benefit from it.[20]
Since the economical crisis, the state has cut down the welfare, and now as soon as there are suspicions of fraud, committees are established to check the truthfulness of the claim.[21][22]
Sources [edit]
- ^ The Official Page of the Ministry of Labor
- ^ Social welfare encourages unemployment
- ^ Social welfare encourages unemployment
- ^ 2012 State Budget Project
- ^ History of the Ministry of Labor between 1919-1944
- ^ History of the Ministry of Labor between 1945-1989
- ^ The Ministry of Labor Today
- ^ Children's allowance in 2012
- ^ Social Protection, Department of Allowances and Subsidies
- ^ Ioan Abrudan, MP: School funds are not mandatory
- ^ Ticket prices for students
- ^ Pupils and students benefit of discounts using CFR
- ^ How much will we pay for heating this winter?
- ^ Unemployment pay, a year only
- ^ Over 20000 fraudulent welfare applications revoked by the government
- ^ How to get your funeral aid
- ^ Pensions in Romania
- ^ Romania has one of the lowest average pensions in Europe
- ^ One in Two Romanians receive welfare
- ^ 1.8 socially assisted citizens do nothing
- ^ The Government is planning on cutting social welfare; see how
- ^ "We have two million fake welfare receivers
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