Proposed merger of various children's allowances into a single benefit.
Here's a revised, informal version of the article:
Listening to Deputy Aigan Skaikova of the 'People's Party of Kazakhstan,' a proposal could be on the table to combine and increase all child allowances, bringing it up to the average wage. This was discussed during a plenary session in the Majilis, as reported by Total.kz.
Skaikova suggests abolishing all existing allowances and payments, and instead establishing a single universal child allowance for every kid under 18, given automatically based on birth and citizenship of RK. This allowance should cover a child's needs, as outlined in our party's proposed child consumer basket.
To support this, she proposes extending the period of childcare to three years, developing a housing program with adapted requirements for these citizens, offering zero percent interest rate and no initial payment, and simplifying confirmation of three-year residence for potential participants. Examples of confirmation might include temporary registration and certificates of kindergarten or school attendance during the period.
Skaikova also advocates for restoring the program of transferring rental housing with the right of purchase to families raising children with disabilities and allocating 20-hectare land plots in rural areas to large and single-parent families.
In her argument, Skaikova points out that the monthly childcare allowance for unemployed women is scarce, at 560 to 865 tenge per child per day. Meanwhile, feeding one prisoner costs 1,018 tenge. The allowance doesn't provide any money for the mother of the child. In Q1 of 2021, the average monthly nominal wage of one employee was 230,829 tenge. If only one spouse works and there are three children, it amounts to 46,000 tenge per child, which Skaikova considers meager.
While there's currently no specific proposal for a universal child allowance in Kazakhstan, we've done some research to understand the potential impact it might have:
- Existing Policies and Benefits: Kazakhstan already offers tax credits for child and dependent care to help working families financially. This indirectly supports mothers.
- Challenges for Families with Disabled Children: Parents of kids with disabilities often struggle to access necessary services in Kazakhstan, highlighting the need for improved support systems.
- Potential Benefits: A universal child allowance could provide financial support, reduce poverty, and increase income equality. It might also help mothers maintain a work-life balance by reducing financial stress.
- Comparison with Other Countries: Maternity leave and allowances in countries like Croatia include wage compensation based on health insurance. Similarly, countries offer benefits like child allowances and assistance for children with disabilities. Implementing similar systems in Kazakhstan might improve the lives of children and their mothers.
Of course, without specific details on a proposed universal child allowance in Kazakhstan, these potential benefits are just speculation for now.
- Deputy Aigan Skaikova of the People's Party of Kazakhstan proposes to replace all existing child allowances and payments with a single, universal child allowance for children under 18 in Kazakhstan.
- Skaikova's proposal includes extending the period of childcare to three years, developing a housing program, offering zero percent interest rate and no initial payment, and simplifying confirmation of three-year residence for potential participants.
- In order to support her proposal, Skaikova points out the inadequacy of the current monthly childcare allowance for unemployed women, which amounts to 560 to 865 tenge per child per day.
- The average monthly nominal wage of one employee in Kazakhstan was 230,829 tenge in Q1 of 2021, and Skaikova consideres the current child allowance of 46,000 tenge per child as meager when there are multiple children in a family.
- While there's currently no specific proposal for a universal child allowance in Kazakhstan, the implementation of such a system could potentially provide financial support, reduce poverty, increase income equality, and help mothers maintain a work-life balance, as seen in countries like Croatia.
