According to the Italian government, the objective is to reverse the low birth rate in the country.
Italy could give 800 euros to expectant mothers and fathers who are having a child, as a way of encouraging families to reverse the country's extremely low birth rates, starting January 1, 2017.
The information is in a “draft” of the budget maneuver sent by the Italian government for evaluation by the European Union, which contains 122 paragraphs. On Tuesday (25), the bloc asked Rome for more details on the measures that should be implemented from next year, but the government has already stated that it will not change its project.
If approved, the child's parents must make the request in the seventh month of pregnancy to be entitled to the benefit. Furthermore, for everyone born before January 1st of this year, a bonus of one thousand euros per year will be granted to help with the costs of their children's daycare – whether public or private.
To this end, the government set aside 144 million euros in 2017, 250 million euros in 2018, 300 million euros in 2019 and 330 million euros in 2002. The right of parents to take time off to follow the baby's first days of life.
The document, which may still undergo adaptations, also provides for a “home bonus” for people who are affected by earthquakes, such as the one that occurred on August 24th. The benefit will be extended until 2021 for areas that suffer the most earthquakes.
The anticipation of retirements was also confirmed, according to a meeting already held between the government and unions this month. The benefit, called “Ape” (acronym for “anticipo pensionistico), should reach 11 categories of workers, such as teachers, nurses, obstetricians, railway workers, truck drivers, among others.
To request advance payment, you must have worked professionally for at least six years and have contributed to Social Security for at least 36 years. For 2017, around 300 million euros were reserved for this purpose.
In education, there is an additional 50 million euros for the “state integration fund for access to the University” and the Ministry of Education in partnership with the Ministry of Economy will be responsible for determining the needs for applying the money for each region of Italy . In addition, 400 national scholarships, worth 15 thousand euros, will be given to “deserving students who do not have the means” to go to college.
The government also estimates investing another 20 million euros in 2017 in the issue of gender equality and non-discrimination policies. A “productivity premium” will also be given to companies, through a reduction in fees, for those that involve their workers in their work environment and still pay men and women equally for the same work.
There will also be benefits and easy credit for structures in the tourism sector – hotels and other companies – that want to renovate their establishments. The news in healthcare is that there will be no cuts. The fund foreseen for 2017 will be 113 billion euros, then 114 billion in 2018 and 115 billion in 2019. In the amount for next year, one billion will be linked to medical assistance, including 500 million euros for “innovative medicines” and for the acquisition of medicines for the treatment of cancer.
By ANSA
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