TIRANA, April 8 /ATA/ On International Roma Day, an activity was held at the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, with the participation of the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ogerta Manastirliu, representatives of the Roma community, representatives of organizations and civil society.
In her remarks, Manastirliu drew attention to the empowerment of the Roma and Egyptian community in the labor market with the aim of their integration.
“As part of the economic assistance program, more than 3,500 individuals have overcome social and economic difficulties and were guided in the stable employment and professional training. The only way to empower the Roma community is through education and employment. We are focused on developing the employment mechanism for those at an active working age and who are part of the social protection programs,” said Manastirliu.
Speaking about the program to support mothers with many children through social and health insurance subsidies, Manastirliu informed that so far there are more than 7 thousand women beneficiaries.
“We launched this program in January of this year and in the first three months alone more than 7,100 mothers with three or more children are subsidized by the state for health and social contributions during the first 5 years of the third, fourth child upbringing, etc. For the Roma and Egyptian community, I want to send this message across, they are supported through the guarantee of state-funded contributions,” underlined Manastirliu.
To achieve social inclusion, a number of national programs have been designed in support of this community. More than 3 thousand Roma families are supported by the social assistance program. The baby bonus is another universal program that provides rewards for newborns, also benefiting children of the Roma community.
This mechanism also resulted in increase of registration of newborn Roma children with the civil registry. Also through the Social Fund, 40 centers and social services have been established in all the municipalities and regions of the country, ensuring that more than 11 thousand beneficiaries, including the Roma community, receive daily and residential services.
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