The Duma approved projects to maintain benefits for full-time working mothers

State Duma deputies approved in the first reading a package of bills on preserving a woman’s right to child care benefits when she goes to work until she reaches 1.5 years. About it reported press service of the lower house of parliament.

“The bills were prepared on behalf of Russian President Vladimir Putin. This decision will allow additional support for families with children, primarily young mothers,” commented Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin on the initiative.

In Russia, women, he explained, are often forced to leave maternity leave before their children reach the age of 1.5 years. All the necessary funds have already been provided for in the draft federal budget, which will be considered in the second reading on November 15, Volodin added.

Projects proposed by the Ministry of Labor of the Russian Federation offer changes to Art. 256 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, as well as the laws “On state benefits for citizens with children” and “On compulsory social insurance in case of temporary disability and in connection with maternity.” In the current Art. 256 of the Labor Code of the Russian Federation states that on maternity leave, women can work part-time or at home while maintaining the right to receive benefits. The Ministry of Labor proposes to maintain payments for full-time working mothers.

The average benefit in 2024 will be 17,811 rubles, in 2025 – 20,406 rubles, in 2026 – 22,458 rubles, the materials also say. In this regard, according to calculations by the Ministry of Labor, additional budget expenditures if the bill is adopted in 2024 will amount to 1.4 billion rubles, in 2025 – 1.6 billion, in 2026 – 1.8 billion.

Putin came up with the initiative to pay benefits for children under 1.5 years of age and a unified child benefit throughout the entire period of their validity, regardless of whether family income has increased or not. SPIEF. In his speech, the president said that “due to objective demographic processes, supply in the labor market will be limited.” Social benefits tied to family income, he said, do not encourage a person to look for a new job.