President László Sólyom sent two bills back to Parliament for reconsideration yesterday.
The head of state did not sign the Act that reduces the length of family support from three to two years, and informed Speaker Katalin Szili by letter that “it is important for mothers to continue to freely decide when they want to return to work”.
Prime Minister Gordon Bajnai said the cabinet will resubmit the bill unchanged to parliament.
Sólyom objected to the legislation as he said positive, motivating measures are needed, rather than limiting ones. Such positive measures would include increasing the number of places at nurseries, subsidising kindergartens and part-time jobs, and encouraging teleworking via the internet, he explained.
The president also reasoned that, in light of Hungary’s aging population and low inclination to have children, a further drop in the birth rate should not be hazarded. If this alarming trend continues, it will seriously jeopardise the sustainability of the pensions system, he argued.
Under the Act, which was passed by Parliament on May 25, children born after May 1, 2010 will be eligible for child care allowance until their second birthday. The benefits will only be available for children with a parent with fully paid-up social insurance.
Family allowances would be frozen at this year’s levels and be reduced from 23 to 20 years, according to the legislation.
The other bill that Sólyom refused to sign concerned amendments to benefit payments.