The Ministry of Health is seeking opinions on the draft Circular guiding the new population policy, in which an important highlight is the proposal to allow localities to spend budget to support cash monthly for children from birth to the age of 36 months.
This is a practical policy, helping to reduce financial pressure in the early years of raising children and encouraging young families to feel secure in giving birth.
Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy, a garment worker in Ninh Binh, said that when deciding to have children, workers often face two biggest pressures: finance and taking care of young children. Among them, the economic burden is a factor that makes many families hesitate.
Maternity leave, the income of workers decreases significantly, even some people have no income if they cannot return to work on time. If there is more support from the State, we will be more assured, less dependent on our families and not feel like we are becoming a burden," Ms. Thuy shared.
For Ms. Thuy, the cost of raising a young child in the early years of life, including milk, diapers, food, vaccination and nutrition for the mother, ranges from about 3-5 million VND per month, depending on the age of the child.
If her family has to hire someone to take care of or pick up and drop off her child, the cost may increase by at least 2 million VND per month.
From that reality, Ms. Thuy proposed a minimum support level for each family raising children from birth to full 36 months old equal to 1/2 of the minimum wage according to the region - where workers live. In addition to financial support, she also hopes for more policies to exempt and reduce education and healthcare costs for children.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Pham Van Minh, a worker in Ninh Binh, said that economic pressure is the reason why more and more young families are reluctant to have children or do not want to have more children.
In my opinion, this proposal has "hit" the biggest concern of workers. The first three years of life are the most expensive period when raising children. From milk, diapers to medical expenses are all very high. Just one time a child is sick and has to be hospitalized can cost a month's salary for parents. The allowance will be a practical support for families to feel more secure," Mr. Minh shared.
Mr. Minh said that he and his wife have not yet had a second child because they prioritize financial stability and building a house first. According to him, only when there is a solid economic foundation can young families boldly have more children.
The male worker also suggested that the support level should be calculated according to the conditions of each region, between urban and rural areas. According to him, a minimum level of about 2 million VND per child/month will help families reduce daily spending pressure.
In addition, Mr. Minh hopes that the policy enjoyment period will be extended until children complete preschool education.
Raising a child is really expensive. For many families, it takes after the age of 35 to start to stabilize financially. If there is the companionship of the State in the stage of raising young children, young families will be more confident when giving birth and also feel secure in working and long-term attachment to businesses," Mr. Minh expressed.
The Ministry of Health's proposal aims to revive the low birth rate. According to Ms. Thuy and Mr. Minh, along with expanding the nursery system, reducing education and health costs and developing social housing for workers, direct financial support policies, if effectively implemented, will contribute to reducing pressure on young families, creating motivation for workers to feel secure in giving birth and stabilizing their lives.
