Moldova Parliament approves maternity benefit changes for unmarried women

The Parliament of Moldova has voted in a second reading on legislative amendments designed to ensure equal social security treatment for unmarried women. Under the new law, unmarried and uninsured women will be eligible to receive maternity benefits calculated based on the father's income, provided the father has the necessary social insurance contributions and has recognized the child.

For insured women, the law allows for the maternity benefit to be calculated using either the mother's or the father's income, whichever results in a higher amount, regardless of marital status. If the father's data is unavailable at the time the benefit is initially established, the amount can be recalculated within 12 months of the maternity leave expiration.

Additionally, the legislation includes provisions to protect child-rearing benefits in cases where a court later determines the child will reside with the other parent. Changes to the child's residence or the insurance status of the parent with whom the child lives will no longer result in the automatic loss of these benefits. The project also extends the statute of limitations for seeking damages related to discrimination from one year to a longer period.