MINSK, 19 May (BelTA) - Over the past five years nearly 34,000 large families in Belarus have improved their living conditions with state support, Belarus' Deputy Prime Minister Igor Petrishenko said at a joint meeting of the House of Representatives and the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the seventh convocation on 19 May, BelTA has learned.
“Given the severity of the demographic problem, the cornerstone of the country's state policy is the comprehensive systemic support for families with children, including child allowances, the family capital, housing construction and additional pension guarantees. The state invests significant resources in all the areas vital to families. In 2020 alone, more than Br4.6 billion of budgetary funds were allocated for these purposes. Over the past five years almost 34,000 large families in Belarus have improved their living conditions with state support,” said Igor Petrishenko.
The system of state benefits covers more than 450,000 children. “In January-April 2021, the average monthly child care allowance for a child under 3 years of age increased by 16% to Br494.6, if compared to the same period last year. The government together with the MPs has analyzed the efficiency of the measures to support large families and determined the mechanisms for their further development. The family capital program was improved in 2020. Its validity was prolonged by five years and the right for its early use for housing, healthcare, and education was provided. This year, additional proposals have been submitted to the head of state to expand the opportunities for the early use of family capital funds, including for the purchase of goods designed for the social rehabilitation of disabled persons and children with disabilities,” the deputy prime minister said.
The government is also considering proposals to grant large families the right to receive additional financial assistance to improve their housing conditions, strengthen pension and labor guarantees for parents with many children.
Photos by Andrei Pokumeiko
