Increase in maternity leave benefits to 75%
Minister of Labor and Social Policy Natalia Efremova announced that the ministry is considering a significant change in support for working mothers. Currently, women who decide to return to work before the end of their maternity leave receive 50% of their entitled benefits. The proposal is to increase this percentage to 75% in order to stimulate career development.
"Every woman inevitably loses part of her qualifications and work habits. The incentive for an early return to work is an extremely important measure in conditions of labor shortages," commented Efremova.
Key changes in social policy and the 2026 budget:
- Increased incentive: Planned increase of the benefit to 75% for early return to work.
- 2026 Budget: Adopted with a deficit of 5.7% of GDP and a frozen minimum wage of 620.20 euros.
- New practices: Introduction of hourly calculation of length of service starting January 1.
- Combatting the grey economy: Focus on fictitious 4-hour contracts where employees actually work full-time.
The ministry emphasizes that all social payments for vulnerable groups remain guaranteed until the end of the year, despite budget constraints and the inherited deficit.