The draft law on the social assistance reform was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies

The draft law on the social assistance reform has been adopted decisionally by the Chamber of Deputies.

The bill was drafted by the government after last year's scandal over the Voluntari old people's homes.

The document provides for much faster withdrawal of licences for centres that do not comply with the rules in force, strengthens the effective control function of social inspectors on the ground and establishes the national electronic register of people receiving social services.

Labour minister Simona Bucura-Oprescu says the new legislation will change social assistance in Romania for the better and protect vulnerable people from abuse.

Simona Bucura-Oprescu: We will no longer have situations where the licensing of social services will be done on paper, with our colleagues from the Social Inspectorate going to the field to see what the real situation is. Social assistance will no longer be fragmented. We will always check what the real situation is and we will have traceability of beneficiaries in the social assistance system, through the Single Register of beneficiaries and social service providers.

The opposition has criticised the draft law, which it says does not solve the problems in the field.

AUR deputy Antonio Andrusceac said the law does not support social workers and their professionalisation, but tries to cover up abuses in the system.

Antonio Andrusceac: You did not agree with the formation of joint control teams, which could work crosswise in several counties, precisely to avoid all kinds of local arrangements and situations like those in Voluntari. You have come up with an image-washing law.

The law provides for fines for breaking the law that go up to 100.000 lei and introduces criminal sanctions. The bill goes to promulgation.

Translated by: Radu Matei