| Abstract [eng] |
LEGAL REGULATION OF MATERNITY AND PATERNITY SOCIAL INSURANCE ON THE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL LEVEL SUMMARY There have always been attempts to increase family social welfare. The recent years have seen a particular increase of attention in this sphere. Quite a number of legal acts have been passed in the said field in international and national law, family support policies have been implemented on the national level, and family support measures implemented in order to clearly define social security of parents involved in childcare. Family support policy is a complex construct of measures that countries should apply with particular purposefulness, with regard to the countries’ situation, society development level, attitudes towards families and other factors. The main international legal acts in the sphere of family policy and social security are conventions of the International Labour Organisation, the European Social Charter, the European Social Security Code, and European Union directives. The aforementioned documents are aimed at assurance of equal opportunities principles, equal attitudes towards men and women, just matching of family and professional life, maternity-related security, paternity and maternity leaves and other security measures concerning family life. In Lithuania, efforts are made to develop a consistent family policy with regard to international legal acts and the country’s current situation, but people cannot yet enjoy its efficient functioning. Although a legal basis has been developed on the national level, it is undergoing constant improving. Family social security in Lithuania embraces social insurance and social support. Social support is furthermore subdivided into social services and financial support. The social support currently existing in the country does not satisfy the needs and expectations of the majority of families living in Lithuania. Legal regulation of maternity-related social insurance is also problematic. Attempts to change the settled order result in the society’s outrages, but having assessed certain negative aspects it has and the economic situation in the country, such attempts are justifiable. Other issues that child caring families have to face are compatibility of family and professional life, absence of flexible working schedules, and insufficient services that facilitate childcare. Presumably, consistent implementation of international and national-level legal acts and national-level development of a situation matching family support policies would reduce the number and extent of issues in the field discussed. |
