Macedonia Health Insurance Fund criticized over delayed maternity benefits

The opposition party Levica says the Macedonian Health Insurance Fund (FZOM) continues to pay maternity benefits late, despite appointing a new director, Zlato Perinski. Mothers have still not received the May payments, and the party argues that the delays have become a regular practice, leaving thousands of women without the legally guaranteed income they are entitled to under their employment contracts.

Levica accuses the ruling DPMNE government of neglect, noting that the delayed benefits force new mothers to borrow money or dip into savings for basic expenses. The party has demanded the immediate payment of all outstanding amounts, the establishment of fixed monthly deadlines and accountability for the fund’s delays. The Health Insurance Fund and the government have not publicly responded to these allegations.