More money for mums and dads on parental leave. The ceiling proposed by Eugen Tomac in the government program

The increase in the allowance ceiling for raising a child from 8,500 lei to 10,000-12,000 lei is among the measures provided for in the chapter on work, family and social protection in the Government Program of Prime Minister-designate Eugen Tomac, writes Agerpres.

According to the document, the measure aims to update a ceiling that has not been modified for about a decade.

“The ceiling is increased from 8,500 lei to 10,000-12,000 lei. The ceiling has not been increased for a decade – it directly penalizes the educated category that delayed having children; marginal budget impact,” the Government Program states.

According to the document, the field of work, family and social protection starts from an unemployment of 6.1% in March 2026, a risk of poverty and social exclusion (AROPE) of 27.4%, as well as from the existence of 4.68 million pensioners, with an average pension of 2,783 lei.

“The labor market and social protection start from: unemployment 6.1% (March 2026), compared to 3.1% in Poland and Bulgaria; AROPE 27.4% – 3rd place in the EU; 33.8% of children at risk of poverty; average net salary approximately 4,760 lei; 4.68 million pensioners with an average pension of 2,783 lei – below the minimum decent living basket (3,807 lei); 2.9 million pensions under 3,000 lei. State personnel expenses: 168.3 billion lei (8.2% of GDP). Sources: INS, Eurostat, MF – June 2026.

Employment subsidy for parents with three or more children

In terms of short-term measures, the program provides for the resumption of payments under the “First Job” program for NEET youth.

“The legal basis is in force (EOG 11/2026); the actual payment was blocked by the fall of the Government; the actual payment is resumed in the short term. The payments are resumed in the first 3 months of the mandate, with the annual target of beneficiaries and budget published by MMSS”, according to the quoted source.

At the same time, the document provides for the granting of a subsidy of 2,250 lei per month for the employment of parents with three or more children.

“The subsidy was extended by GEO 11/2026. Condition: the employment ratio is maintained for at least 12 months after the end of the subsidy; an impact assessment is carried out after the first year”, the quoted source says.

The program also provides for the continuation of the “St. Ana” nursery school program, financed from PNRR and national funds. “The development of the program from PNRR and national funds continues, to respond to the acute need of families with small children, with a firm calendar,” according to the document.

It is also planned to continue the Tech Assist voucher scheme for the purchase of assistive devices. “Up to 39,900 lei; continues the scheme from October 2025; concretizes the dignity of people with disabilities,” the document states.

Day care centers for children and the elderly

At the same time, the program includes the modernization of the NextGen 119 service – The child's telephone. “The measure responds to public cases of abuse. It is a measure that represents a small technological investment with a significant impact for those who need it,” the quoted source added.

The document also provides for the completion, by the deadline set in the PNRR, of 145 day care centers for children and 63 day care centers for the elderly.

“145 day care centers for children and 63 day care centers for the elderly are being completed by the PNRR deadline (August 31, 2026), with the publication of the status of each center. 50 community services and 31 new community services are being operationalized in this context,” the document states.

Removal of the CASS contribution for mothers

At the same time, the elimination of the social health insurance contribution (CASS) for mothers with children under a certain age is foreseen.

“CASS exemption is granted for mothers with children under a certain age. The budgetary impact is minimal, below 0.02% of GDP; the measure represents a clear pro-natal signal,” the document states.

Regarding pensions, the document provides for the evaluation of the possibility of their indexation from January 1, 2027. “An evaluation is carried out in the first 1-2 months of the mandate, with a concrete figure based on the available budget space”, according to the document.

Electronic pension coupon

The program also provides for the operationalization of the e-Talon system – the electronic pension coupon. “The system is operationalized after the hardware purchase; the state-pensioner relationship is modernized; logistic costs are reduced,” according to the document.

At the same time, the program provides for the urgent adoption of legislation on equal opportunities. “The law transposing the EU Directive 2023/970 promoted by ANES is being adopted as a matter of urgency,” the quoted source mentions.

The program also includes integrated ANAF-ITM controls to combat undeclared and gray work. “Black/gray work: estimate 20-25% of the real economy through the continuity of the work of the Labor Inspectorate”, the document also states.

In addition, the continuation of vocational retraining programs is foreseen. “The Just Transition Impact programs continue: Retraining 50,000+ workers in 3 years in the affected areas, “Solidarity and Skills” – 6 FTJ counties (EU funded), active apprenticeship: FORMACTIV (30+ years) + START! (under 30 years)”, according to the quoted source.

Digitization of the archives of the Pension House

At the same time, the National Qualifications Authority will update the occupational standards. “Occupational standards are being updated and revised according to the OECD together with the Ministry of Education and Research,” according to the document.

In terms of structural reforms, the program provides for the digitization of the pension system. “The SNIAS and the Service Hub are being operationalized through the PNRR by the end of August 2026 for the pension e-Talon”, the document also states.

The digitization of the archives of the National Public Pensions House (CNPP) is also foreseen. “The CNPP archives are being digitized: scanned documents for 100% online services”, according to the cited source.

With regard to the reform of social benefits, the document provides for the monitoring of the Social Services Hub and the SNIAS in order to obtain data to be the basis of a future reform strategy.

Anti-poverty strategy

At the same time, the program stipulates the conditioning of the maintenance of social benefits on participation in activation and tax compliance measures, within the limits of the law, and the optimization of the classification system in degree of handicap and degree of invalidity.

Regarding non-EU workers, the expansion of bilateral agreements between Romania and other states is being considered, as well as the operationalization of their registration system on the workinromania.gov.ro platform.

The document also provides for the development and launch of the National Anti-Poverty Strategy for the period 2028-2034. “The National Anti-Poverty Strategy for the period 2028-2034 is being developed and launched, with 3 million euros from European funds,” the document also states.

The program also provides for the continuation of the implementation of the measures included in the national plan related to the European Child Guarantee and the updating of the Youth Law by promoting new policies dedicated to this category. “The Youth Law is being updated by promoting new policies aimed at young people. Programs from European funds aimed at young NEETs are continuing,” the document also states.

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