Recognized status for parent caregivers

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - MP in the FBiH Parliament Irfan Čengić presented amendments to the law introducing the status of parent caregiver. The initiative to adopt this law was submitted by the association "Give Us a Chance".

"Parents who spend time caring for their children with disabilities, who require such care, are deprived of the right to work. Therefore, I believe that the state is obliged to recognize the status of parent caregiver and provide these individuals with a certain compensation, as well as pay for their pension and health insurance," states MP Čengić.

Čengić has submitted a Draft Law on Amendments to the Law on the Foundations of Social Protection, Civilian Victims of War, and Protection of Families with Children to the parliamentary procedure, which would regulate this area, following the example of neighboring Croatia. Parent caregivers in Croatia receive a monthly compensation of 2500 kn and paid health and pension insurance.

Ines Kavalec, representative of the Association "Give Us a Chance", presented the reasons for submitting such an initiative and how recognizing the status of parent caregiver would help parents who have dedicated their lives to caring for children with disabilities who need that care.

The Minister of Labor, Social Policy, and Displaced and Refugee Persons of the Sarajevo Canton, Malik Garibija, also addressed the press conference, praising the initiative and the draft law.

"I believe this is an excellent way to help families of persons with disabilities. The primary task of the cantonal ministries, together with the competent federal ministry, during the public debate should be to estimate how many persons with disabilities there are in FBiH whose parents should be recognized as parent caregivers. The next step should be to secure the finances for the implementation of this law," states Garibija.

If this law is adopted by the FBiH Parliament, it is planned to be implemented starting January 2020.