The Romanian state tries to encourage birth through several legislative features dedicated to parents and future parents. These mechanisms are constantly updated.
In Romania, the employer cannot compel pregnant, lactating or breastfeeding women to work night shifts under any circumstances. Now, that law has been extended to parents who are raising their children alone. Even the latter will not be able to be forced to work at night, as shown in a legislative project that enjoyed the positive vote of the senators a few days ago.
The Labor Code is changing
Through the recently adopted legislative effort, the Labor Code is changed, Law no. 53/2003. The list of those who cannot be forced to work at night is expanding. According to the adopted draft, the representative of the single-parent family, i.e. the single parent, will not be forced to work at night. Currently, the same law provides for the ban on working at night for pregnant, nursing and nursing women. The same law prohibits night work for young people who have not reached the age of 18.
According to the initiators, there are several reasons why a single parent should not work at night:
- the safety of the child at night, who remains either in the care of a person or alone in the house;
- the possibility that the parent will not be able to give the children enough attention and care during the day, due to the fatigue generated by working night shifts;
- difficulty combining working hours with family obligations, such as childcare or participation in school and social activities;
- the impact on the parent-child relationship, which may be affected by the parent being unavailable or unable to participate in the child’s activities on a regular basis.
Before its effects can be felt in the market, the draft amendment to the Labor Code must also be adopted by the Chamber of Deputies, after which it will be promulgated by the President and published in the Official Gazette.
