Disputed changes to the Personal Assistance Act that would limit personal assistants are being withdrawn, and any future changes will go to public consultation. The decision followed a meeting between unhappy mothers of children with disabilities, the finance and social ministers, and the authors of the bill from Progressive Bulgaria.
Finance minister Galab Donev, social minister Natalia Efremova, Progressive Bulgaria MPs and parents attended. One mother who took part said parents want oversight and have agreed a public consultation. She urged all mothers of children with disabilities to join it.
Tension rose after the changes were put before parliament. Parents fear that families' rights will be affected. They want real oversight of the system, but not at the cost of the rights of people who truly need personal help.
Ombudsman Velislava Petrova said her office has received more than 800 complaints from mothers about how the changes were brought in. She said the mothers are deeply outraged that parliament is trying to push the texts through at the last minute, by the back door and without wide debate. The Citizens' Complaints Committee has also received more than 30 reports.
The opposition in parliament united against the proposals and asked those in power to withdraw them.
Prime minister Rumen Radev, who is in Dublin for an informal meeting of European leaders, said he had spoken to the ministers. "I expect a fair decision that in no way harms the needs of mothers of children with disabilities," Radev said. He added that the decision must also keep the government's policies stable.
After the meeting, the authors of the bill said their original aim was to curb abuse and stop leaks in the system, which they say have been found. Maria Todorova of Progressive Bulgaria said she and the mothers agree that substantial change is needed because the system has leaks. She added that they will draw up a new bill together. Todorova gave no details, saying both sides agreed to work together on every rule and every text so that they are fair. It is not clear when work on the new proposals will start or when they will be ready.
Parents want to take part in every stage of the drafting, so that no decisions that directly affect them are made without hearing them. The association "The System Is Killing Us" also insists that every change be widely debated. "We fought for this law with blood," said Neli Dimitrova of the association. She said it cannot be changed lightly, and the tension must be calmed.
One of the families affected is that of a mother who cares alone for her 22-year-old son, who has cerebral palsy. The young man is immobile and has trouble speaking. The family lives on about €720 a month, which the mother earns as a personal assistant, and the son's disability pension, which is under €300. The woman described a severe attack her son had, when a doctor said he was slipping away. She said their life is very hard, and in the end people like her feel mocked.
The mother of a 5-year-old child with a disability said Radev must not betray the families. She said parents only look after their children and want nothing more.
Parents from across the country have already begun organising a protest.